Iran stoning: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani ‘freed’

The International Committee against Stoning said this evening that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, her son and two German journalists had been released from prison following an international outcry.

Mina Ahadi, spokesperson for the group said the news was a “historial sucess for humanity”.

“There are no words to express our joy,” she said. “It shows, when millions stand together they can save precious lives and stop the unthinkable.”

There has been no immidate confirmation from Iran. International Editor Lindsey Hilsum said it was unclear whether Ms Ashtiani’s release would be permanent.

A spokesperson from Iran Human Rights welcomed the news but said details were still uncertain.

“We are very glad to hear that Sakineh Ashtiani is released, although we are not sure whether the charges against her are removed or not and whether the release is permanent.”

Ms Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, was initially given death sentences by two different courts in the northwestern city of Tabriz in separate trials in 2006.

A sentence to hang for her involvement in the murder of her husband was commuted to a 10-year jail term by an appeals court in 2007.

But a second sentence, to death by stoning on charges of adultery levelled over several relationships, notably with the man convicted of her husband’s murder, was upheld by another appeals court the same year.