Malta joins EU in plea for the release of woman sentenced to death

The Maltese government has appealed against the Iranian government’s death sentence to Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani.

In a statement, the government said it was joining the EU’s High Commissioner’s requested to the Iranian government and appealed for the execution not to be carried out.

Sakineh was originally sentenced to death by stoning after being charged with adultery. She was later accused of complicity in the murder of her husband and the sentence was changed to death by hanging.

The High Commissioner expressed doubts at how fair Sakineh’s trial had been in view of the fact that her lawyer and her son, who was working for his mother’s release, were also arrested.