Death sentence suspended for Iranian woman

TEHRAN, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- The death sentence for an Iranian women convicted of murder and adultery was suspended, the Iranian foreign ministry announced Wednesday.

Iranian television in August showed Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani confessing to the 2005 killing of her husband. Ashtiani said her confession was made under duress. She was convicted in 2006 of having an "illicit" relationship with two men following the death of her husband.

Originally sentenced to death by stoning, her case evoked an international uproar over the human rights record in Iran.

Ramin Mehman Parast, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, announced Wednesday that Ashtiani's death sentence was suspended.

"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," the spokesman was quoted as saying.

Tehran said in August it wouldn't execute the woman during the holy month of Ramadan, which ends this week.

The spokesman lashed out at the West for exploiting the issue.

"They have tried to exploit this case, politicize it and turn it into a political charade," he said.

The European Parliament, in a resolution passed Wednesday, called on Iran "to outlaw the cruel and inhumane practice of stoning."