Interview of Economist’s editor-in-chief with Grand Ayatollah Saanei

The editor of Middle East and Africa service of the Economist interviewed Grand Ayatollah Saanei about different matters pertaining to Islamic law and politics. In response to a question about stoning, the Ayatollah mentioned that some scholars believe that punishments such as these were only suitable in the time of the Prophet and his successors and that nowadays, the punishment for adultery should be something other than execution. Other scholars support the belief that because adultery is so difficult to prove beyond reasonable doubt, punishments other than stoning and execution should be considered.