UPDATE: Iran: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's still faces death sentence while Brazil makes formal offer of asylum

SKSW and WLUML are still gravely concerned about the fate of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. On 4 August, Branch 9 of the Supreme Court in Iran began a review of Mohammadi Ashtiani's sentence and agreed to consider a judicial review of the case, submitted by her lawyer. The Supreme Court is expected to either accept or reject the judicial review on or around 15 August. The review appears aimed solely at reducing international pressure on the authorities, by deferring a decision on the method of execution and the stoning sentence remains in place.

Following international condemnation of the sentence of death by stoning, on around 7 July judicial officials in the north-western city of Tabriz wrote to the Head of Iran’s Judiciary in Tehran seeking permission to change the method of execution from stoning to hanging. On 11 July, the head of the provincial judiciary in East Azerbaijan, Malek Ezhder Sharifi, confirmed that the stoning sentence remained and could be implemented at any time by decision of the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani. 

Brazil has formalized its asylum offer extended to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, reported state-run Agencia Brasil news agency on Tuesday 10 August. According to the Agencia Brasil report, Brazilian ambassador to Iran Antonio Luis Espinola Salgado formally made the offer at Iran's foreign ministry on Monday. Iran is yet to respond to the formal offer.

The latest development comes after Brazilian President Lula da Silva offered political asylum to Mohammadi Ashtiani in his country during a campaign rally for his party in southern Brazil on 31 July.

Action Needed

We urge you to continue and step up your support of Sakineh’s case by writing to the Iranian authorities in any language, citing the following demands:

1. Formally reverse the death sentence imposed on Ms. Ashtiani whether by stoning or other forms of punishment.
    
2. Release Ms. Ashtiani from prison immediately. 
    
3. Enact legislation that bans stoning as a punishment either by civil or any other courts in Iran and would not permit the use of other forms of the death penalty or flogging or imprisonment for those convicted of “adultery” or other crimes. 
    
4. Commit to end death penalty in Iran. 
    
5. End the criminalization of consensual sexual relations.
    
6. Ensure Ms. Ashtiani’s son’s security by guaranteeing his right not to be harassed and upholding his right to express his concerns regarding the plight of his mother and to represent her case to the public.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY TO: 

Leader of the Islamic Republic 
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader 
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street 
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran 
Email: info_leader@leader.ir; 
Via website: www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)  
                   www.leader.ir/langs/fa/index.php?p=letter  (Persian) 
Salutation: Your Excellency 

Head of the Judiciary 
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani 
Office of the Head of the Judiciary 
Pasteur St.Vali Asr Ave. south of Serah-e Jomhouri,Tehran 1316814737 
Islamic Republic of Iran 
Email: Via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/81/Default.aspx 
(1st starred box: your given name; 2nd starred box: your family name; 3rd: your email address) 
Salutation: Your Excellency 

And copies to: 

Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights 
Mohammad Javad Larijani 
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh 
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri 
Tehran 1316814737 
Islamic Republic of Iran 
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 
Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com (In subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani) 

Please also urgently write to/telephone/fax the Iranian embassy in your country. You can find the contact details on this list:http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-of/Iran