Epress.am News from Armenia
An announcement on the social networking site Facebook today invited the public to protest Iran’s decision to execute Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who was convicted with adultery, following her husband’s death.
A protest is set to take place at 5 pm today before the Islamic Republic of Iran Embassy in Armenia.
The Facebook announcement says that Ashtiani’s lawyers are asking to supporters to create as much “noise” as possible online, to hold live protest demonstrations in front of Iranian embassies in other countries, and publicize the image of the protests in places visible to the public.
Protestors plan to paint stones red and place them under the door of the Iranian embassy in Armenia.
Recall that the 43-year-old, who has been in prison in Tabriz since 2006, had already been punished with flogging for an “illicit relationship” outside marriage when another court tried her for adultery. Earlier this year, authorities in Iran announced that Ashtiani would not be stoned to death; however, it was unclear whether the death sentence was lifted against her.
Under Iran’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, sex before marriage is punishable by 100 lashes, but married offenders are sentenced to death by stoning. The stones used must be large enough to cause the condemned pain, but not sufficient to kill immediately.
In May 2006, a criminal court in East Azerbaijan province found Ashtiani guilty of having had an “illicit relationship” with two men following the death of her husband, reports BBC News. She was given 99 lashes.