Iranian sentenced to stoning thanks her backers

Representative for the anti-capital punishment organization, the International Committee Against Executions and the International Committee Against Stoning, coordinator Mina Ahadi makes a statement to the media in London, on Friday, in support of Iranian woman Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani who is sentenced to stoning after an Iranian court found her guilty of having sex outside marriage. Photo: AP.

Supporters say an Iranian woman sitting on death row for adultery has sent a message from prison thanking her international backers for working to save her life.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was condemned to death by stoning after she was convicted of cheating on her husband, a sentence that was lifted earlier this month following a campaign by politicians, rights groups, diplomats and celebrities around the world.

But supporters say she still faces the death penalty, and that as many as 24 other people in Iran are still in line to be stoned to death.

Mina Ahadi, one of those publicizing Ashtiani’s plight, told reporters in London on Friday that she had dictated the message over the phone.