The lawyer for an Iranian widow sentenced to be stoned to death for an adultery conviction has expressed cautious optimism after authorities on July 9 said they will review the decision.
The case against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, has drawn international condemnation.
Mohammad Mostafavi, a lawyer representing Ashtiani, says he is optimistic the review would bring an end to his client's suffering after years of living "with the nightmare of death by stoning."
State news agency IRNA on July 11 also quoted Malek Ajdar Sharifi, head of the judiciary in East Azerbaijan province, as saying that the verdict "the verdict has been halted due to humanitarian reservations."
Human rights activists and other officials, however, have warned that she could still be executed by other means. Amnesty International says three people sentenced to death by stoning in Iran last year were instead hanged.
compiled from agency reports
The case against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, has drawn international condemnation.
Mohammad Mostafavi, a lawyer representing Ashtiani, says he is optimistic the review would bring an end to his client's suffering after years of living "with the nightmare of death by stoning."
State news agency IRNA on July 11 also quoted Malek Ajdar Sharifi, head of the judiciary in East Azerbaijan province, as saying that the verdict "the verdict has been halted due to humanitarian reservations."
Human rights activists and other officials, however, have warned that she could still be executed by other means. Amnesty International says three people sentenced to death by stoning in Iran last year were instead hanged.
compiled from agency reports
