Review of Stoning Death Sentence: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashitiani

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was convicted in May 2006 of having an "illicit relationship" with two men, and
received 99 lashes as her sentence. Despite this, she was then also convicted of "adultery while being married,"
which she has denied, and sentenced to death by stoning. While reports indicate that she has been acquitted of the
murder of her husband, she remains in prison awaiting implementation of the sentence. It remains unclear whether
she has been convicted of a separate charge of being complicit in the murder of her husband.
Following international condemnation of the sentence of death by stoning, on around 7 July judicial officials in the
north-western city of Tabriz wrote to the Head of Iran's Judiciary in Tehran seeking permission to change the method
of execution from stoning to hanging. On 11 July, the head of the provincial judiciary in East Azerbaijan, Malek
Ezhder Sharifi, confirmed that the stoning sentence remained and could be implemented at any time by decision of
the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani. On 4 August, Branch 9 of the Supreme Court began a review of
the sentence and agreed to consider a judicial review of the case, submitted by her lawyer. The Supreme Court is
expected to either accept or reject the judicial review on or around 15 August.