Iran says woman's stoning sentence stayed

Iran said on Tuesday that a woman sentenced to death by stoning would remain on death row pending a final decision by the judiciary. 

Protesters gathered near the Eiffel Tower in Paris to show opposition to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's death sentence. REUTERS

Mother of two Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani was convicted for adultery as well as for her alleged role in her husband's murder. The decision sparked international outcry, especially among European member states that have been pushing for new EU sanctions for Iran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told a weekly press conference that both sentences pending against her are being reviewed.

Mohammadi-Ashtiani's son, Sajjad, told a Paris news conference on Monday that he feared his mother would be executed after the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan later this week, and urged Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and French counterpart Bernard Kouchner to directly address the issue with Iranian authorities.

"Ramadan is coming to an end and, according to Islamic law, executions can resume," he told the news conference by telephone.

Mehmanparast decounced what he sees as an interference with his country's judicial affairs.