Condemned Iranian Woman: 'I'm a Sinner'

Iranian state-run television has broadcast what it says is a statement from Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the woman whose on-again, off-again death sentence has sparked an international outcry. (For details click here.) “I’m a sinner,” Ashtiani said—or at least, allegedly said. The woman’s face was blurred out, and the words voiced over by a translation into Farsi from Azeri Turkish, the AP reports.

The report also included what it said were statements from Ashtiani’s son, and her lawyer, who were arrested last month. The two blurry faces apologized for saying that Ashtianti was tortured in custody. “Saying lies to the foreign media was my recommendation,” said the lawyer, Houton Kian. “I am full of regret,” said son Sajjad Qaderzadeh. “If I had not known the two lawyers, the case would have gone through its normal course.” (More Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani stories.)