Amnesty condemns ‘confession’ of Iran stoning case woman

Amnesty International today condemned the TV “confession” of an Iranian woman last night in which Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, awaiting execution by stoning for adultery, appears to implicate herself in the murder of her husband.

The interview was broadcast on Wednesday 11 August, on the '20:30' program by Seda va Sima (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting).

Televised “confessions” have repeatedly been used by the Iranian authorities to incriminate people. Many have later retracted these “confessions”, saying that they were forced to make them, sometimes under torture.

Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland said: “This so-called confession forms part of the growing catalogue of other forced confessions and self-incriminating statements made by many prisoners in the past year.

“This video shows nothing more than the lack of evidence against Sakineh Ashtiani and the desperation of the Iranian authorities.”

Amnesty International understands that last week, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s lawyer, Javid Houtan Kiyan, submitted a 35-page request for a judicial review of her case. A response is expected on or around 15 August.

“It appears that Iran’s authorities have orchestrated this “confession”, following the call for a judicial review, and are now inventing new charges of murdering her husband,” said Colm O’Gorman.

Unconfirmed reports that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has recently been tortured or ill-treated while in Tabriz Central Prison, underscore Amnesty International’s concern.

“If the judiciary in Iran is to be taken seriously, this “confession” needs to be disregarded and assurances given that it will not affect the review of her case,” said Colm O’Gorman.