Iran: We Might Still Stone Adulteress

The dizzying saga of Sakineh Mahammadi Ashtiani took another turn today, with Iran saying that it was going forward with plans to execute the convicted adulteress by stoning—unless, of course, it decides to just hang her instead, reports the AP. "There is no haste," said Malek Ajdar Sharifi, a chief justice official in the province where Ashtiani is jailed. "We are waiting to see whether we can carry out the execution of a person sentenced to stoning by hanging or not. As soon as the result (of the investigation) is obtained, we will carry out the sentence."

Ashtiani, whose case has sparked international condemnation, was convicted of adultery in 2006, following her husband's murder (she was also later convicted in his death). Iran backed off plans to stone her last year after attracting the wrath of everyone from the Vatican to Carla Bruni. (More Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani stories.)