Iranian facing stoning speaks: 'It's because I'm a woman'

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, the woman whose sentence of death by stoning triggered an international outcry has accused the Iranian authorities of lying about the charges against her to pave the way to execute her in secret.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery but it was commuted to hanging after an international outcry. Her initial sentence was for "having an illicit relationship outside marriage" but Iranian officials have claimed that she was also found guilty of murdering her husband and should still face death by stoning.

In the interview, which took place through an intermediary who cannot be named for security reasons, she said: "They're lying. They are embarrassed by the international attention on my case and they are desperately trying to distract attention and confuse the media so that they can kill me in secret."

=snip=

Mohammadi Ashtiani said: "I was found guilty of adultery and was acquitted of murder, but the man who actually killed my husband was identified and imprisoned but he is not sentenced to death."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/06/sakineh-mohammadi-ashtiani-iran-interview

---

Full interview at the link.


Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, speaking through an intermediary,
accused Tehran of trying to ‘confuse the media’ in order to kill her
in secret.
Photograph: AP

[I Have A Dream]

1. I so hope that something can be done to save and free this woman.

:(

[rasputin1952]

2. What a nightmare...

this is the kind of thing that happens most often under a theocracy. The rationalization is that, "________(insert deity) tells me to do this."

Sadly, all of the major religions speak of Peace, Understanding, Empathy and a host of other aspects of human life, Forgiveness being at the top. Some maniacs demand death, imprisonment and torture, simply because they have what they think is divine inspiration; when in reality, all they have is a cold soul and a frozen heart. There is nothing of Justice involved in this, it's all about sadistic retribution.

Some people are simply despicable.

[Quantess]

3. Most major religions reinforce the positions of the alpha males.

It's true.

[rasputin1952]

4. Yes, sadly this is true...

There may yet be a day when all humans are treated with equal respect, equal rights and privileges...I hope I live to see that day, but I'm getting up there as far as years go; age won't stop me from fighting for equality though.

[polly7]

5. BRAZIL AND TURKEY: SAVE SAKINEH!

BRAZIL AND TURKEY: SAVE SAKINEH!
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani could be executed for adultery in Iran within days.

But intense diplomatic pressure from two men could save her life -- President Lula of Brazil and Prime Minister Erdoğan of Turkey. They are powerful allies of Iran and both countries have condemned the case.

Avaaz is launching an emergency ad campaign in key newspapers in Brazil and Turkey urging the two leaders do all they can to secure Sakineh's release and stop stoning.

If just 5,000 of us donate a small amount in the next 72 hours we'll make this powerful appeal before it's too late.

Donate now to fund these ads and support further Avaaz campaigning:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_sakinehs_life/?rc=fbp&pv=1

I couldn't find a date on this, it's probably right in front of my eyes, Avaaz is a good organization, and though they ask for donations for Ads to pressure the international community to save this woman, posting it on Facebook or social networking sites is a great alternative. Mods, I hope this is allowed and apologize if it isn't.