Protesters in Paris urge Iran not to execute Iranian woman convicted of adultery

Protesters ask Iran to spare convicted woman

PARIS — About 300 people from rights organizations have demonstrated in Paris to urge Iran to lift its death sentence on an Iranian woman convicted of adultery.

The protesters carried banners reading “Let’s Save Sakineh,” in honor of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two who has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.

After international protests, Iran lifted the stoning sentence last month, but she could still face execution by hanging.

Iran-born women’s rights activist Anna Pak told Saturday’s Paris crowd that Iran must “stop killing men and women” after alleged forced confessions.

Sihem Habchi, of a noted French group representing downtrodden minority women, said Ashtiani symbolizes the “right to be a woman.”