BRUSSELS — European Union nations and the continent’s biggest human-rights organization slammed Iran on Wednesday for its plan to stone a woman convicted of adultery. Iran’s ambassador to the Vatican said there is “hope” that the punishment could be eased upon review by Iranian authorities.
The plight of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year- old mother of two, has cast a harsh light on Iran’s version of Islamic justice and caused a global outcry. Iran says it has put the stoning on hold for now, but it has indicated that Ashtiani could be hanged for her conviction of playing a role in her husband’s 2005 murder.
In an interview broadcast on Italian state TV Wednesday, Tehran’s envoy to the Holy See gave the strongest indication yet that Iran may set aside the death penalty — or at least the stoning — in Ashtiani’s case.
He was asked what response he could give to the many appeals from around the world to stop the stoning, including concern from the Vatican.
Ambassador Ali Akbar Naseri stressed that Islamic law was “inspired by clemency and forgiveness.” Asked if that meant there was some hope Ashtiani could receive clemency, he replied that “one hopes for some easing of the punishment.” But he insisted that Iranian judicial authorities were “fully independent” and would not be swayed by “threats.”
The European Union Parliament in Strasbourg, France, passed a resolution Wednesday condemning Tehran, a move that comes on the heels of EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso calling stoning “barbaric.”
