Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Leila Abulhasani, Case Returned for Retrial
The death sentence of Leila Abulhasani, a 43-year-old woman and detainee from the December 2024 protests in Shahinshahr, Isfahan, has been overturned by Iran’s Supreme Court following an appeal by her defense lawyer. Her case has been referred back to an equivalent court division for reconsideration; however, this decision does not mean her acquittal or release, and Abulhasani remains imprisoned in Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan.
According to reports from human rights organization Hengaw and news agency Irrana, Iran’s Supreme Court, after reviewing the appeal filed by Leila Abulhasani’s defense lawyer, has overturned the death sentence issued against her and referred the case back to an equivalent court division for reconsideration.
Leila Abulhasani, 43, a hairdresser and nail technician and mother of two teenage daughters, was previously sentenced to death in April 2025 by Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Vahid Hametnzhad, on charges of “enmity against God” (moharebeh).
Abulhasani was arrested on the evening of December 18, 2024, during nationwide protests in Shahinshahr, Isfahan. According to information released by human rights sources and reports from her family members, she was present at the location filming the fire at one branch of the Afsaq Korosh chain store when she was arrested by security forces.
The Islamic Republic’s judicial system accused her of participating in setting fire to the store, and this charge formed the basis for issuing the death sentence against her. However, her family members have rejected this accusation and stated that she was merely documenting footage of the fire.
At the time of the publication of human rights reports, the full text of the court verdict and clear court documents proving the charges against her had not been made public. Additionally, complete details of her defense during the judicial proceedings are not available.
The overturning of a death sentence by Iran’s Supreme Court means that the previous ruling no longer provides the basis for executing the death penalty and the case must be reviewed again in court. However, referring the case back to an equivalent court division does not mean the end of the judicial process or the issuance of an acquittal.
Based on published reports, Leila Abulhasani has been held in Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan since her arrest and no information has yet been released regarding the date of the new trial or the final outcome of the proceedings.
Her case once again draws attention to the situation of detainees from the December 2024 protests and the severe sentences that have been issued in connection with these protests. Clarifying judicial documentation, ensuring fair trial for the accused, and enabling effective access to legal counsel are among the important issues in reviewing such cases.
At present, the overturning of Leila Abulhasani’s death sentence represents an important development in her case proceedings; however, until the case is reviewed again and the final outcome is announced, the judicial fate of this 43-year-old mother remains uncertain.
