Iranian Woman Who Once Faced Stoning 'Will be Hanged

Human rights group The International Committee Against Stoning is reporting that an Iranian woman who cheated death by stoning will be hanged instead today.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a mother of two, was originally sentenced to death by stoning for committing adultery. But after immense pressure from the international community, Tehran decided to stay that punishment -- instead choosing Ashtiani could be hanged.

Although the stoning has been abandoned, the change in method may not be an act of benevolence as much as it signals an increase in charges. According to London's Daily Mail, after reviewing Ashtiani's case the government was considering charging her with murder. Under the Islamic law in force in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the paper says, murder is punishable by hanging, adultery by stoning.

"We ask that people continue their protests, exerting pressure on governments and the Islamic Republic of Iran and highlighting her situation until her execution is officially rescinded and she is released," ICAS wrote on its website.