Iranian Woman Has Stoning ‘Suspended’

Source/Link:  Sweetness and Light

September 8th, 2010

From Iran’s Press TV:

‘Ashtiani guilty of murder and adultery’

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani [Any relation?]
Wed Sep 8, 2010

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says the death sentence of a woman convicted of adultery and murder has been suspended.

Which is to say this will probably become another ‘cat and mouse’ game with the West. Perhaps if we agree that they can make nuclear weapons, they will drop the sentence entirelly.

Mehmanparast said that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was guilty of murder and adultery. "Defending a person on trial for murder should not be turned into a human rights matter."

He went on to add that if releasing all parties found guilty of murder is to be considered a matter of defending human rights, then European countries can free all incarcerated murderers in the name of human rights.

"The sentencing of Ms. Ashtiani for adultery has been stopped and [her case] is being reviewed again, and her sentencing for complicity in murder is in process."

Which actually makes it sounds more like her sentence is under review, rather than "suspended."

Mehmanparast urged all concerned parties about Ashtiani’s condition to have some consideration for the bereaved relatives of the victim who have lost someone.

Mehmanparast emphasized that even in Western countries, which are not sensitive about family values, take offence at betrayal.

Apparently, the Iranians are trying to justify stoning a woman to death for adultery ("betrayal") by saying that even Western countries take the same view.

Of course, nothing says “family values” like stoning a women to death – especially after having lashed her a couple of hundred times.

On August 28, The London Times published the photo of a woman without hijab (Islamic head covering) it claimed to be Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

A few days later the Times apologized for publishing the photo. Western media claim that the Times’ apology was due to Ashtiani allegedly being sentenced to 99 lashes over the picture.

Mehmanparast, however, told Press TV that the claims regarding Ashtiani’s sentencing were untrue.

Notice that the Iranian authorities don’t bother to tell us what exactly is the truth in the matter. They must be still working on that.

Mehmanparast said certain western countries are using Ashtiani’s case to pile up pressure on Iran over its nuclear work.

“They have tried to exploit this case, politicize it and turn it into a political charade,” he told Press TV.

“Our country has been under a lot of political pressure by the US and other Western countries over its nuclear work,” he added, saying that Ashtiani’s case is clearly a scenario written by the West to pressure Iran.

Yes, it is all Western propaganda.

But just appreciate how clever it was of “the West” (presumably the CIA and the Zionists) to enlist this woman to appear to commit crimes, and then trick Iran into sentencing her to death by stoning.

The Iranians got set up again.