Minister vows to fight death sentence

Associated Press

Tuesday 07 September 2010

The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says he is willing to "do anything" to save an Iranian woman facing a death sentence for adultery.

Mr Kouchner called Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's sentence of death by stoning "the height of barbarism". He added: "I'm ready to do anything to save her. If I must go to Tehran to save her, I'll go to Tehran."

Having spoken to one of Ms Ashtiani's lawyers, Mr Kouchner declared that the case had become a "personal cause" for him.

Iran lifted the stoning sentence for the 43-year-old after an international outcry. She could still be hanged.

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