Woman Sentenced to Die by Stoning Is Set Free

An Islamic appeal court in Dass freed a pregnant woman who had been sentenced to be stoned to death for having sex out of wedlock.

“Thank God it is all over now,” said Hajara Ibrahim, 29, who is six months pregnant. She had said she had sex with Dauda Sani, 35, whom officials had released, citing lack of evidence.

A lower court had sentenced Ibrahim to 100 lashes and death by stoning. The appeal judge annulled her conviction on the grounds that it was incorrect to deliver two sentences for the crime, the confession was not made four times, Ibrahim was not given the chance to defend herself, and the investigation was not properly carried out.