Iran Grills Mom Sentenced to Stoning

Iranian authorities have been interrogating Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the 43-year-old mother of two who garnered international attention when she was sentenced to death by stoning last month on charges of adultery. Authorities want to know who helped Sakineh spread her story to the media, and have warned her that if her sons don’t stop pushing for her release, then they’ll be arrested, too. Her 22-year-old son, Sajad, has been summoned by Iranian Intelligence twice in the past week.

“Sakineh has been under big pressure since the world has paid attention to her case,” a source close to her family tells the Guardian. Sakineh’s story triggered a global outcry, with her photo putting a face on the campaign against stoning in Iran. In the face of that pressure, Iran’s judiciary said she wouldn’t be stoned to death, but would be executed by hanging instead. (More Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani stories.)