Iran issues death sentence for Maryam Hodavand over protest case

Hengaw – Saturday, April 25, 2026

Maryam Hodavand, one of those arrested during the protests in January and currently held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to death by the Iranian judiciary in connection with the fire at the Seyed al-Shohada Mosque in Pakdasht. She is the second woman sentenced to death following arrests linked to those protests.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Hodavand, 40, a mother of two, was recently sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges related to involvement in the mosque fire case.

The sentence was issued despite Hodavand being denied access to an independent lawyer throughout all stages of the proceedings. Hengaw has learned that her case was handled in a wholly security-driven and opaque environment. Following an appeal, the case has now been referred to Branch 9 of the Supreme Court for review.

Hodavand was arrested by security forces in Tehran Province during the protests in January. After undergoing interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.