Judiciary issues statement on Ashtiani

The Human Rights Headquarters of the Iranian Judiciary says the death sentence handed down to an Iranian woman for adultery is final, but is put on hold for the time being.

Given the conclusive evidence in her case file, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was convicted of adultery and complicity in murder, the headquarters said in an announcement on Sunday.

Nevertheless, the stoning to death sentence has not been carried out yet as the human rights body is seeking further proceedings, according to the statement.

Under the Islamic Law, adultery is a crime punishable by stoning.

Ashtiani, a mother of two, was also found guilty of murdering her husband in collusion with another man, Isa Taheri, read the announcement.

According to the statement, she also confessed to having an affair with Isa Taheri, and colluding with him to kill her husband.

The statement further reads that Taheri was sentenced to 10-year discretionary imprisonment for aiding and abetting the murder of Ebahim Ghaderzadeh, the husband of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

Given that Ghaderzadeh’s next of kin waived their right to retribution, and pursuant to the Iranian Criminal Code, Isa Taheri was handed down a 10-year discretionary jail term, the announcement read.

“The judiciary has adopted special measures to spend more time enforcing the law and observe the legal rights of individuals,” read the statement, adding ‘The final results will be announced accordingly.’