Death Sentences of Three Protesters Overturned; Two Detained Protesters Sentenced to Forty-Six Years in Prison
Despite the overturning of death sentences for three detainees from the December 2025 protests, the Islamic Republic continues to issue severe sentences against protesters. While dozens have been killed during these demonstrations, many of the arrested face security charges, risk of execution, or years of imprisonment—a process that human rights organizations consider part of a systematic policy of suppressing protesters.
Although Iran’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences of three detainees from the December 2025 protests, this decision does not mean an end to their legal prosecution. Their cases have been referred to a parallel court branch for re-examination, and they remain under threat of new severe sentences, including execution.
According to human rights organizations’ reports, the death sentence of “Ali Fattah” (Kamali), which was previously issued by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court under Judge Iman Afshari with the charge of “moharebeh” (waging war against the state), has been overturned by the Supreme Court. Ali Fattah, who held a student residence permit in Malaysia, had returned to Iran to visit his family but was arrested during the December 22 protests and faced a death sentence several months later. According to reports, he experienced severe psychological problems during his detention and was transferred to Razi Psychiatric Hospital several times for treatment.
The Supreme Court has also overturned the death sentences of “Behrouz Zamani-Nejad” and his son “Kourosh Zamani-Nejad.” These two, along with “Bita Hamti” and “Mohammad Reza Majidi-Asl,” had been sentenced to death on charges including “operational action for a hostile foreign state (the United States).” Previously, the death sentences of Bita Hamti and her husband were also overturned. However, all these defendants remain facing prison sentences and asset confiscation, and their cases will be re-examined in court.
The charges brought against these individuals are primarily based on their participation in protest gatherings, chanting slogans, and allegations such as destruction of public property or use of weapons. However, based on available information, the issued verdicts lack documented and specific details about each defendant’s independent role—an issue repeatedly criticized by human rights lawyers and human rights organizations.
While some death sentences have been overturned, the process of issuing severe sentences against other detainees continues. The latest example is the conviction of 23-year-old “Abolfazl Rahbar” and his 24-year-old cousin “Omid Rahbar,” who have been sentenced to 20 and 26 years in prison respectively—a total of 46 years of imprisonment solely for charges including “membership in an opposition group” and security-related cases. Both are detainees from the December protests and are currently held in Qarchak Prison in Karaj.
The December 2025 protests were one of the bloodiest waves of recent demonstrations in Iran. Reports published by human rights organizations show that a significant number of citizens were killed during the suppression of these protests by security and military forces, and thousands were arrested. Many families of victims remain deprived of the right to freely hold memorial ceremonies, access to justice, and information about the fate of their loved ones.
In the months following these protests, the Islamic Republic’s judiciary has increased pressure on detainees through the opening of extensive security cases, issuance of death sentences, long-term imprisonment, and asset confiscation. Although the Supreme Court has overturned death sentences in some cases, these decisions often do not amount to acquittals, and many defendants remain subject to retrial and similar sentences.
Human rights activists believe that what is currently happening in the cases of December protest detainees represents part of a continuing pattern of suppression in the Islamic Republic—a pattern in which, after protesters are killed in the streets, the detained face serious security charges, trials lacking fair judicial standards, and punishments such as execution or decades of imprisonment. According to these organizations, the continuation of this process has not only increased concerns about the state of human rights in Iran but has also underscored the necessity for international attention and monitoring of the fate of political and ideological prisoners in Iran.
