Tag: Behrouz Zamaninejad

2026 Protests: Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentences of Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl and Bita Hemmati

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behrouz Zamaninejad, Bita Hemmati, Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Kourosh Zamaninejad, Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl

HRANA – The death sentences issued against Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl and his wife, Bita Hemmati, both arrested during the January 2026 protests, have been overturned by Iran’s Supreme Court. The couple had previously been sentenced to death by Judge Iman Afshari.

According to HRANA, the Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences of two individuals detained during the January 2026 protests. The case of Mohammadreza Majidi Asl and Bita Hemmati has been referred to a parallel branch for retrial.

In April of this year, the couple, along with two co-defendants, Behrouz Zamaninejad and Kourosh Zamaninejad, were sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “operational collaboration with the hostile government of the United States and hostile groups.”

The four defendants were also each sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” The court additionally ordered the confiscation of all their assets as a supplementary punishment.

Another defendant in the case, Amir Hemmati, was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

According to the court ruling, the charges against the defendants included participation in protest gatherings on January 8 and 9, 2025, chanting anti-government slogans, throwing objects such as bottles, concrete blocks, and incendiary materials, and damaging public property. The ruling claimed these acts were intended to disrupt national security and were linked to hostile groups.

Judge Afshari also referred to the alleged use of explosive materials and unspecified weapons, injuries to deployed forces, and the dissemination of content aimed at undermining national security. However, the ruling did not specify the details of these allegations or clearly attribute them individually to each defendant.

A source familiar with the families told HRANA: “Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl and Bita Hemmati are a couple living in Tehran, and Amir Hemmati is a relative of theirs. Kourosh Zamaninejad and Behrouz Zamaninejad were also residing in the same residential building, and all were arrested simultaneously.”

According to information received by HRANA, the defendants were subjected to pressure during interrogations, raising concerns about forced confessions.

The initial death sentences were reportedly based on a combination of legal provisions, including Articles 131 and 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, as well as Articles 500 and 610, which concern “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” The application of the death penalty in cases tied to public protests has drawn criticism from human rights organizations in recent years.

The individuals were arrested by security forces in Tehran on January 9, 2026. Bita Hemmati is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison. Further details regarding the whereabouts of Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl, Behrouz Zamaninejad , and Kourosh Zamaninejad are still under investigation by HRANA.

Tehran Revolutionary Court Sentences Four Protest Detainees to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Hemmati, and Kourosh Zamaninejad, Behrouz Zamaninejad, Bita Hemmati, Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl

HRANA – Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl, Bita Hemmati, Behrouz Zamaninejad, and Kourosh Zamaninejad, all detained during the January protests, have been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to death, five years in prison, and confiscation of all assets. Amir Hemmati, the fifth defendant in the case, has also been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison.

According to a ruling recently issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, and formally communicated to the defendants, Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl, Bita Hemmati, Behrouz Zamaninejad, and Kourosh Zamaninejad were sentenced to death on the charge of “operational action for the hostile government of the United States and hostile groups.” These four defendants were also each sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” The ruling additionally imposed confiscation of all their assets as a supplementary punishment.

Regarding the verdict issued against Amir Hemmati, the fifth defendant in the case, he was sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security,” as well as eight months in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”

A knowledgeable source close to the families of these prisoners told HRANA: “Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl and Bita Hemmati are a couple living in Tehran, and Amir Hemmati is a relative of the two. Kourosh Zamaninejad and Behrouz Zamaninejad were living in the same residential building, and their arrests took place simultaneously.”

According to the text of the ruling, the allegations against these individuals include “participation in protest gatherings on January 8 and 9, 2026,” “chanting protest slogans,” “throwing objects including bottles, concrete blocks, and incendiary materials from rooftops,” and “destruction of public property.” It is also claimed that these acts were carried out with the aim of “disrupting national security” and in connection with “hostile groups.”

In another section of the ruling, Judge Afshari referred to “the use of explosive materials and an unspecified weapon,” “injuring forces deployed at the scene,” and “sending content aimed at undermining security.” However, in the text of the verdict, a copy of which has been obtained by HRANA, the details of these allegations and the precise attribution of each act to each defendant have not been presented separately or transparently.

According to information obtained by HRANA, the defendants were subjected to pressure during interrogation, and concerns have been raised regarding the possibility of forced confessions during that period.

The ruling was issued based on several legal provisions, including Articles 131 and 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, as well as Articles 500 and 610 (propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion against national security). The combination of these charges with the imposition of the death penalty, especially in cases linked to public protests, has been the subject of serious scrutiny and criticism by human rights bodies in recent years.

In this case, the use of broadly framed charges, the lack of individualized details regarding the role of each defendant, and reports concerning possible coerced confessions are among the issues that, according to legal experts, may raise serious questions about the judicial process. Under international standards, the use of the death penalty requires clear evidence and the precise establishment of the “most serious crimes.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been released regarding the defendants’ access to counsel of their choosing, the details of the court sessions, or their conditions of detention. HRANA continues to follow developments in this case.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.