NEW COURT HEARINGS SCHEDULED THIS WEEK FOR TWO IRANIAN WOMEN SENTENCED TO DEATH
Washington, DC.)
NEW COURT HEARINGS SCHEDULED THIS WEEK FOR TWO IRANIAN WOMEN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY STONING
The lawyers representing two women sentenced to death by stoning for engaging in "inappropriate relationships" with men announced that their clients will face new trials this week.
According to counsel for Hajieh Esamailvand, the court in the city of Jolfa has summoned Hajieh back for additional interrogation on Thursday, November 16, 2006. Hajieh's counsel remains hopeful that competent legal representation and defense during the new trial will lead to the dismissal of the charges against her client. She goes on to explain that Hajieh's statements in court during her previous trial was taken to mean that she had committed adultery when, in fact, Hajieh had used the term "zena" to inform the court that she was raped by the man who had murdered her husband. Such an erroneous interpretation of the word "zena," (which, in Farsi is used to describe adultery, fornication, debauchery, and rape,) led the court to find Hajieh guilty of adultery and sentence her to death by stoning.
Similarly, lawyers representing Parisa Akbari are contesting the sentence of death by stoning issued against their client. The Judiciary of High Council ( i.e. Islamic Republic of Iran's Supreme Court) has ordered a re-evaluation in Parisa's case. Branch 15 of the Judiciary of High Council is scheduled to hold a hearing on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 to re-evaluate the charges against Parisa and her husband.
One of the lawyers representing Parisa at the new hearing states that he has prepared an excellent legal defense in Parisa's case, and that he is confident that the court will rule in his client's favor.
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