Sakineh Mohamamadi Ashtiani

IRAN: WOMAN 'ADULTERER'S' SENTENCING TO DEATH BY STONING 'CANCELLED', SAYS LAWYER

June 26, 2012: An Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery will not undergo the punishment, it has been claimed.
According to The Daily Mail, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's lawyer and supporters said that the hardline Islamic regime has ditched its plans for her death.
She will now only serving a 10-year sentence for being an accomplice to her drug-addicted husband's murder in 2006.
Mohammed Mostafaie, her lawyer who was forced into exile for publicising her case, said he had not heard anything official.
However, he said: "From what I hear the stoning sentence has been lifted and she could be released on parole before finishing her prison sentence."
Mina Ahadi, of the International Committee Against Stoning, said: "The Islamic regime has not officially said the sentence has been overthrown, but that seems to be the effect."
Naghi Mahmoudi, a lawyer forced to flee to Iran for defending Ashtiani's second lawyer Houtan Kian who himself was arrested for representing her, also hailed the news.
Ashtiani, now 45, was convicted in 2006 of having an 'illicit relationship' with two men following the murder of her husband the year before. (Sources: ANI, 26/06/2012)