TEHRAN, Iran — Iran signaled Tuesday it would likely reject the Brazilian president's offer to give refuge to an Iranian woman convicted of adultery and sentenced to death by stoning.
The case of 43-year-old Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani triggered an international outcry that prompted Iran to at least temporarily withdraw the stoning part of her sentence. The mother of two could still be hanged, however.
"A far as we know, (Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula) da Silva is a very humane and emotional person who probably has not received enough information about the case," ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.
Further information would be provided to the president to clarify the situation about "an individual who is a convicted offender," he added. Iran says the woman has also been convicted of murder.
The outcry over the death sentence is one of the latest thorns in Iran's relationship with the international community, as the United States, Britain and international human rights groups have urged Tehran to stay the execution.
Silva said Saturday that Brazil could give her political asylum.
Well, how much more does Brazil need to know beyond "adultery" before they can make an offer of asylum? Iran is showing how utterly inhumane they are.
The wide gulf of differences between human hights available to say men in the west and women in the east is incredible. How and when will this ever bridge?
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Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010 Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010