PES Secretary General, Philip Cordery, deeply concerned about the fate of Ashtiani, said: “After having looked closely at the case of Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani, I am simply shocked by the absolute disregard of any human dignity. Death penalty is a deplorable form of punishment which the PES rejects in principle and in all circumstances. The execution by stoning is simply inhuman and barbaric.”
He added: “In one single case, the authorities have contravened international covenants to which Iran is a party as well as national legislation in the absence of any legal criterion. She was forced to confess after being subjected to 99 lashes. Her conviction was not based on evidence. There were no witnesses. The PES strongly condemns this sentence and calls on the Iranian authorities to reconsider.”
Ashtiani, 42 of age, from the northern city of Tabriz, was convicted of adultery in 2006. Iran's Supreme Court endorsed the conviction in 2007. According to Article 74 of the Iranian Penal Code, at least four witnesses are required for a stoning sentence. There were no witnesses in Ashtiani's case. Sentenced to death by stoning are buried up to the chest. Stones cause pain without killing immediately.
