Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is the woman we wrote about last week — she faces the horrible, horrible death sentence of stoning in Iran.  Her crime?  Adultery.  Evidence?  None.  Trials? Two (no double jeopardy protection there).

Was the Stoning Carried Out?

There have been no news reports since our post to confirm that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has indeed been executed.  Last we knew, the Mullahs had reported that they were not going to respect any stays offered by other local authorities, and the stoning was said to occur within a 24 hour time frame. 

And by stoning, again we mean she will be buried in sand up to her chest and then stones – not too big and not too small – will be thrown at her until she dies.  (They don’t want her to die too quickly.) 

Where is Her Lawyer?  He’s Gone Missing.

We don’t know if Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is alive or dead right now.  And, according to Amnesty International, we also don’t know where her defense lawyer is. He’s gone missing.

Mohammad Mostafaei (shown above) was reported to have been interrogated at Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday.  Amnesty International believes he was released, asked to return, and never seen again. 

Mostafaei’s Wife and Brother-in-Law Held Without a Lawyer

Meanwhile, the defense lawyer’s wife, Fereshteh Halimi, and his brother-in-law, Farhad Halimi, have been taken by authorities and held without legal counsel. 

Mostafaei Is Another Death Penalty Defense Lawyer Who Blogs

Interestingly, Mr. Mostafaei blogs.  That’s right.  He blogs in Iran.  And, apparently he posted something on his blog last Saturday after he left the prison interrogation, as well as updating his Facebook account.  On Facebook, he predicted he would be arrested.

Check out his blog (use Google Translate): looks like it’s been shut down. 

Our prayers are with Mr. Mostafaei and his family — and we are honored to count him as one of our brethren.  Please help spread the word of this continuing injustice.  To learn more about what you can do, visit theActivism Center at Amnesty International’s website.