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Fears persist Iran won't end stoning
LONDON, (UPI) -- Iran spared a 43-year-old woman from execution by stoning for adultery but at least 10 others on death row face possible stoning, human rights activists say.
In a last-minute reprieve, the Iranian Embassy in London announced Thursday Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani would not be stoned to death.
Amnesty International said Friday fears persisted she could be executed by hanging for "adultery while married."
"We note the Iranian Embassy's statement on stoning but a mere change of the method of execution would not address the injustice faced by Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani," Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa deputy director, said in a statement.
"Until she and her lawyer have been officially notified otherwise, she could still face execution, including by stoning," he said.
Amnesty International said at least 10 others -- seven women and three men -- were awaiting stoning sentences in Iran and there are likely more. Last year, at least three people who had been sentenced to death by stoning were hanged, Amnesty said.
The organization noted proposed changes to Iran's penal code outlawing stoning are being reviewed by the country's parliament and have yet to be ratified.
Amnesty International opposes making consensual sexual relations between adults a crime.
LONDON, (UPI) -- Iran spared a 43-year-old woman from execution by stoning for adultery but at least 10 others on death row face possible stoning, human rights activists say.
In a last-minute reprieve, the Iranian Embassy in London announced Thursday Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani would not be stoned to death.
Amnesty International said Friday fears persisted she could be executed by hanging for "adultery while married."
"We note the Iranian Embassy's statement on stoning but a mere change of the method of execution would not address the injustice faced by Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani," Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa deputy director, said in a statement.
"Until she and her lawyer have been officially notified otherwise, she could still face execution, including by stoning," he said.
Amnesty International said at least 10 others -- seven women and three men -- were awaiting stoning sentences in Iran and there are likely more. Last year, at least three people who had been sentenced to death by stoning were hanged, Amnesty said.
The organization noted proposed changes to Iran's penal code outlawing stoning are being reviewed by the country's parliament and have yet to be ratified.
Amnesty International opposes making consensual sexual relations between adults a crime.
