Iran Releases Stoning Woman, Says Report

Added by Annika L. Krugel on December 9, 2010

The Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning has been released, says a European human rights group.

Although Iran has denied the rumours, the German-based International Committee Against Stoning said it had information from “sources in Iran” that confirmed the release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

Ashtiani was sentenced to death by stoning after an Iranian court found her guilty of adultery. Following an international protest campaign the sentence was suspended, but Iranian officials said Ashtiani could still be implicated in the murder of her husband, for which she could be hanged.

Speculations over her released came as Iran’s state-run English language Press TV advertised a show that was said to include an interview with Ashtiani. The channel also showed photos of Ashtiani and her son Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, who has also been detained since October after meeting with German reporters, said to have been taken before the interview.

However, the timing of the photos has not been verified.

The case has over recent month negatively impacted on already strained relations between Iran and the West.