Iran plans to execute Bita Hemmati, its first female protester accused of involvement in the January 2026 unrest in Tehran. She was sentenced alongside her husband and others, with accusations linking them to violence and propaganda efforts against the regime. Human rights organizations warn that the trials were marked by forced confessions and lack of concrete evidence, raising concerns over due process and political repression.

The crackdown follows months of widespread protests triggered by economic collapse, inflation, and political unrest that have resulted in thousands of deaths and increased domestic and international tensions. As Iran intensifies its efforts to suppress dissent, the threat of executions looms large, prompting international calls for pardons and a halt to capital punishments. The unrest escalated with U.S. and Israeli military strikes targeting regime leaders, further complicating Iran’s internal stability.