Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery could be executed as early as today, activists say.
Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two was first sentenced to death in 2006 by two separate courts. For one charge, the involvement of the murder of her husband, she was sentenced to death by hanging; for the second, adultery, Ashtiani was set to be executed by stoning. The first sentence was eventually lessened to jail time, but the second was upheld, spurring an international outcry of protesters calling for stoning executions to be banned. Worldwide repulsion to the practice of stoning in Iran seemed to have little effect on the country’s decision, resulting in heated declarations from Iran, promising not to curb Islamic law for the Western world.
More on TIME: Death By Stoning: Iran’s Internal Debate
Under Iranian penal code, death by stoning for both men and women is textbook for cases of adultery, and the country is not light-handed when doling out death sentences. So far this year more than 100 executions have taken place in Iran, and the international gash between the penal customs continues to grow. International groups and governments around the globe have spoken out against the practice, but Iran has yet to yield. Sources close to Ashtiani’s case say the execution could happen as early as Wednesday, calling for “governments to step up the diplomatic pressure (on Iran).” (via AFP)