Epress.am News from Armenia
The Islamic Republic of Iran Embassy in Armenia today declined to comment on the protest which took place before the embassy building yesterday. Recall that demonstrators had gathered in front of the embassy to protest Iran’s decision to execute Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who was convicted with adultery, following her husband’s death.
Epress.am attempted to find out from the Iranian embassy its official position on the Iranian woman’s execution.
An embassy employee, speaking to Epress.am, said that during yesterday’s demonstration, the ambassador said what he wanted to say and they cannot comment further.
Recall that, according to one demonstrator who was invited inside the embassy, the Iranian ambassador said that Sakineh’s case “is normal, there are many women in prisons in the world.”
Asked by Epress.am whether that is the embassy’s official position, the embassy employee said:
“They told me that yesterday the ambassador said what was necessary [to be said].”
Recall that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, 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.