Tehran, Iran (AHN) – Iran has arrested two foreign journalists for interviewing the son of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the woman who has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery – a case, which has sparked global criticism from human rights groups.

According to an Iranian judiciary spokesman, security services apprehended two German journalists who did not obtain the proper media authorization to interview 43-year-old Ashtiani’s son. The Germans are reportedly on a tourist visa to this Middle Eastern nation, not on working visas.

Talking to reporters, Iranian Public Prosecutor Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie said that the two Germans arrested after someone informed the authorities about how suspiciously they were interrogating Ashtiani’s son.

“After conducting relevant investigations, it was established that these two people were not reporters and even if they were, they did not have the relevant documents,” Ejeie added. He further said that authorities believe his links from an Iranian human-rights activist Mina Ahadi, who founded the International Committee against Execution and Stoning, and has been living in Europe.

Ghanbar Naderi of Iranian government mouthpiece said that the nabbed men should have taken government’s permission before conducting any reports. Such people could make tougher for genuine journalists, who want to come to this part of the world, to create their own reports on Iranian situation.

Amid increasing international pressure, Iran temporarily suspended Ashtiani’s stoning verdict without making any decision on her fate. According to local media reports, she was to be hung after the Eid for killing her husband and committing adultery. However, her lawyers insisted her innocence.

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