TEHRAN, Iran — The controversial death sentence by stoning for an Iranian woman convicted of adultery will not be implemented for now, said a judicial official on Sunday.
The world outcry over the death sentence has become the latest issue in Iran’s fraught relationship with the international community.
Malek Ajdar Sharifi, the top judicial official in the province where the mother of two was convicted, told the Iranian state news agency that her crimes were “various and very serious” and not limited to adultery, but that the sentence “will not be implemented for the time being.”
He added Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s stoning would still take place if the judiciary wanted, despite the “propaganda” by the West.
The United States, Britain and international human rights groups have all urged Tehran not to carry out the sentence.
The first indication that the government had changed its mind came with statement by the Iranian embassy in London that the stoning would not occur.
Ashtiani is currently being held in East Azerbaijan province’s jail.