I felt horror and revulsion when I read the story yesterday about the Iranian mother of two who faces stoning by death for alleged adultery. I add my strongest Story Imageprotest to the international campaign led by outraged Western governments and human rights groups pleading for clemency.

The son of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, pleads her innocence. His mother has already spent five years in prison and received 99 lashes. The government of Iran should abolish should barbaric acts of punishment. It is totally inhumane and no religion would surely condone it. It’s brutal and horrendous and this woman has surely more than been punished enough.

Iran doesn’t appear to be interested in justice and the son’s desperate attempts to meet the country’s judiciary chiefs, and the 100 letters he has written to them, have all been ignored. While respecting that different countries have their own cultural beliefs, this is too heartbreaking and sickening for words and Iran should listen to world leaders who have voiced outrage. It will not be showing weakness by relenting, but strength of wisdom.

UPDATE: 9 July. The Times today reports that Iran has backed down and said the women would be spared execution by stoning. The family’s agony continues, however, as it is not known whether her life has been spared, or whether she will still be executed by hanging instead.