Trump Claims Iranian Women Protesters Will Avoid Execution

US President Donald Trump announced that eight Iranian women protesters, initially facing execution, will be spared after his appeal to Iran's leadership. While Trump celebrated this development, human rights organizations raised concerns about the accuracy of the claims, stating that only one woman had been confirmed to receive a death sentence. The situation remains complex, with ongoing discussions about the treatment of political prisoners in Iran. Activists emphasize the need for humanitarian issues to be addressed in negotiations, highlighting the dire conditions faced by detainees in the country. This article delves into the details surrounding the protesters and the implications of Trump's announcement.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 22, 2026, 23:34 IST

Trump's Announcement on Iranian Protesters

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced that eight Iranian women protesters, whom he believed were at risk of imminent execution, would not face death. He characterized this development as a positive response to his direct appeal to Iran's authorities. Trump expressed his satisfaction on Truth Social, stating, "Very good news!" He added that four of the women would be released immediately, while the other four would serve a month in prison.

Trump acknowledged Iran's leadership for honoring his request as the President of the United States, which led to the cancellation of the planned executions. This statement came after he exerted public pressure on Iran to release the women as a goodwill gesture ahead of peace discussions in Pakistan. However, the details surrounding the women's situation remain contentious. Trump had previously indicated that all eight, including two minors, were facing execution by hanging. Yet, human rights organizations clarified that only one woman, Bita Hemmati, had been confirmed to have received a death sentence. Iranian officials dismissed Trump's claims, stating that he had been misled by false reports. According to a statement from the judiciary's official website, the women in question had either been released or were facing charges that, if upheld, would result in imprisonment at most.

Identifying the Women Protesters

Who Are the Women?

The human rights organization Hiwa reports that the group consists of several women who were detained during recent anti-government protests. Among them is Panah Movahedi Salamat, 24, who vanished after participating in demonstrations in Tehran's Punak district, and Ensieh Nejati, a mother arrested in January in Darab. Other identified individuals include Mahboubeh Shabani, accused of "waging war against God" for assisting injured protesters; Golnaz Naraghi, an emergency physician detained in Tehran; and Venus Hosseini-Nejad, who activists claim was coerced into making a false televised confession. Additionally, two detainees, Ghazal Ghalandari and Diana Taherabadi, are just 16 years old. Human rights advocates have expressed concerns that confessions in such cases are frequently obtained under duress.

Sardar Pashaei, the executive director of Hiwa, recently made a public appeal for the United States to link humanitarian issues with negotiations involving Iran. He emphasized that the condition of ‘no nuclear weapons' should be paired with ‘no execution of political prisoners.' Pashaei highlighted the dire situation in Iran, noting that dozens of detainees are at risk of execution. "In the past month alone, over 16 prisoners have been executed," he stated. "Currently, at least five women political prisoners are facing execution." He insisted that halting executions, releasing political prisoners, and restoring internet access must be prioritized in negotiations. "Without addressing humanitarian concerns, any agreement with the government will not ensure lasting stability or peace," he concluded.