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Iran: We Might Still Stone Adulteress

Tehran apparently still itching to execute Ashtiani

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 25, 2011 11:26 AM CST

(AP) – The dizzying saga of Sakineh Mahammadi Ashtiani took another turn today, with Iran saying that it was going forward with plans to execute the convicted adulteress by stoning—unless, of course, it decides to just hang her instead, reports the AP. "There is no haste," said Malek Ajdar Sharifi, a chief justice official in the province where Ashtiani is jailed. "We are waiting to see whether we can carry out the execution of a person sentenced to stoning by hanging or not. As soon as the result (of the investigation) is obtained, we will carry out the sentence."

Ashtiani, whose case has sparked international condemnation, was convicted of adultery in 2006, following her husband's murder (she was also later convicted in his death). Iran backed off plans to stone her last year after attracting the wrath of everyone from the Vatican to Carla Bruni.

In this Jan. 1, 2011 file photo, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery, speaks at a news briefing, in the northwestern city of Tabriz, Iran. (Vahid Salemi)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 37 comments

cheongyei

Dec 25, 2011 6:24 PM CST

The west has this to look forward to when they cede control of their countries to the musslimms. Mindless religions should be put in the trash can, not elevated to anything higher.

JamaicaJim

Dec 25, 2011 4:58 PM CST

She killed her cheatin husband? Hmmmm...sounds Bobbitish. In any case, hanging is sudden. Stoning is smoking soooooooo much dope, one coughs to death. Takes longer......Decisions, decisions...... HEY! I got it. Hang her with hemp rope, THEN smoke that up! Yeah!

SynicinSF

Dec 25, 2011 1:24 PM CST

She caused the murder of her husband. This is a death penalty for murder.

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Iran • death penalty • capital punishment • stoning • Iranian women • Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani

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Condemned Iranian Woman: 'I'm a Sinner'

Facing death, Ashtiani allegedly confesses on television

(NEWSER) - Iranian state-run television has broadcast what it says is a statement from Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the woman whose on-again, off-again death sentence has sparked an international outcry. (For details click here .) “I’m a sinner,” Ashtiani said—or at least, allegedly said. The woman’s face was blurred out, and the words voiced over by a translation into Farsi from Azeri Turkish, the AP reports. More»

Times to Iran Woman: Sorry About Lashing

But blasts Tehran's 'pretext' in punishing Ashtiani

(AP) - As if getting sentenced to death by stoning isn't bad enough: The Times of London is apologizing today to the Iranian woman who got an additional 99 lashes after the newspaper wrongly identified her as a bareheaded woman in a photo. The newspaper previously issued a correction, but today denounced the lashing as "simply a pretext." "The regime's purpose is to make Ms. Ashtiani suffer for an international campaign to save her that has exposed so much iniquity," it said. More»

Iran: We Won't Stone Ashtiani

But hanging is still on the table

(NEWSER) - Ever-benevolent Iran has decided that it doesn't absolutely have to stone Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani to death— again? —but it still might hang her. The Iranian foreign minister announced the suspension of the stoning sentence today, Reuters reports, saying the verdict is "being reviewed" and that a final verdict will be issued. Ramin Mehmanparast blamed the US for the international outcry over the sentence, saying "they are playing a political game." More»

Vatican: We're Watching Iran's 'Brutal' Stoning Case

Ashtiani now sentenced to 99 lashes over photo

(NEWSER) - Iran may think Carla Bruni's a prostitute, but the BBC reports that it also thinks it's going to give Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani—the woman Tehran already wants to put to death by stoning—99 lashes over a photo that may or may not depict her bareheaded. Sound like she needs a little divine intervention? The AP reports that the Vatican may wade into the fracas, with a spokesman today decrying stoning as a particularly "brutal" form of execution, which it's not a huge fan of to begin with. More»

Brazil Offers Asylum to Iranian Mom Facing Stoning

Overture by key ally raises hope

(NEWSER) - Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's chances of avoiding death by stoning have improved greatly thanks to a surprise offer of asylum from Brazil's president. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's overture this weekend to the Iranian mother of two, who has been sentenced to death for adultery, prompted a serious reaction from Tehran, which views Brazil as a key ally, raising hope that Ashtiani's life will be spared. More»

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Iran: We Might Still Stone Adulteress

Tehran apparently still itching to execute Ashtiani

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iran • death penalty • capital punishment • stoning • Iranian women • Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani

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More Newser Stories

Condemned Iranian Woman: 'I'm a Sinner'

Facing death, Ashtiani allegedly confesses on television

Times to Iran Woman: Sorry About Lashing

But blasts Tehran's 'pretext' in punishing Ashtiani

Iran: We Won't Stone Ashtiani

But hanging is still on the table

Vatican: We're Watching Iran's 'Brutal' Stoning Case

Ashtiani now sentenced to 99 lashes over photo

Brazil Offers Asylum to Iranian Mom Facing Stoning

Overture by key ally raises hope

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