02 January 2011

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani may not face death by stoning, says prosecutor

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning, may not face her original punishment, the judicial authorities have signalled.

In the latest twist in the saga, the prosecutor of East Azerbaijan province said today it was "possible" the original sentence could be dropped.

But Malek Ajdar Sharifi did not comment on whether Mohammadi Ashtiani might instead be hanged. [guardian.co.uk] Read more