{
  "id": 4431529,
  "title": "Who is Leila Abolhasani? The mother sentenced to death after Iran’s January protests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/who-is-leila-abolhasani-the-mother-sentenced-to-death-after-irans",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T13:52:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-907037"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Leila Abolhasani is a 43-year-old beautician and mother of two from Shahin Shahr, a city north of Isfahan, Iran. She worked in nail and beauty services and was reportedly raising two teenage daughters. Abolhasani was arrested on January 8 during nationwide protests in Iran, and accused of setting a supermarket on fire. Her relatives deny this allegation, stating that she was only documenting the fire that was already burning. The events that led to her arrest took place amidst widespread unrest across the country. Abolhasani's case was heard by Judge Vahid Hemmatnejad at Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court in late May. She was charged with moharebeh, one of the most serious offenses in Iran, which is defined as waging war against God. The charge is based on her alleged participation in setting the supermarket alight. Abolhasani's lawyer was not allowed to choose her own counsel during the investigative stage due to restrictions under Note to Article 48 of Iran's Code of Criminal Procedure. The court convicted her of moharebeh for committing arson and setting fire to public property. Hemmatnejad sentenced her to death, which is one of the most severe penalties under Iran's Islamic Penal Code. The charge and the evidence used to convict Abolhasani remain undisclosed, and her case is currently under review by Iran's Supreme Court. If her appeal fails, she could be executed. The US State Department has requested an independent review of the evidence and consideration of suspension or debarment.",
  "summary": "Abolhasani, a 43-year-old beautician and mother of two teenage girls, was sentenced to death for “enmity against God” after authorities accused her of helping set fire to a supermarket.",
  "key_points": [
    "Leila Abolhasani is a 43-year-old beautician and mother of two from Shahin Shahr, Iran.",
    "Her case led to a death sentence for moharebeh, a serious offense in Iran."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}