Lawyer hopeful widow will not be stoned to death

THE lawyer for an Iranian widow sentenced to be stoned to death for an adultery conviction expressed cautious optimism over the weekend after Iran said it will review the decision, which has drawn international condemnation.

Human rights activists and other officials, however, warned that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, could still be hanged.

The outcry over the death sentence is the latest thorn in Iran’s relationship with the international community, with the US, Britain and international human rights groups urging Tehran to stay the execution.