The conviction by an Iranian court of Iranian Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani for the crime of adultery, with a sentence in 2006 of execution by stoning, led to calls for Lula to intercede on her behalf. In July 2010, Lula said "I need to respect the laws of a [foreign] country. If my friendship with the president of Iran and the respect that I have for him is worth something, if this woman has become a nuisance, we will receive her in Brazil". The Iranian government declined his offer. Mina Ahadi, an Iranian Communist politician, welcomed Lula's offer, but reiterated a call for an end to stoning altogether and requested a cessation of recognition and support for the Iranian government. Jackson Diehl, deputy editorial page editor of The Washington Post, called Lula the "best friend of tyrants in the democratic world," and criticised his actions. Shirin Ebadi, Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate called Lula's comments a "powerful message to the Islamic Republic".Shirin Ebadi: When Adultery Means Death . Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved on 29 November 2010.
the convICtIoN By AN iRAniAn Court of irAniAN sakiNeh MoHammaDI aSHTiaNi fOr ThE crime OF aDuLteRY, wiTh a SenTEnce iN 2006 oF exeCUtion By SToNiNg, lEd to caLls fOR LuLA To InTercedE On her behaLf. in jUlY 2010, lULa said "i need to rEspect ThE laws of a [fOreigN] cOUntry. IF my fRienDsHiP WitH tHe presIdENt Of irAN aND the reSpeCt thAt i have For him iS Worth SomeTHIng, iF This wOman has Become a nUiSaNCE, We wilL rEceIVE Her iN brAziL". thE irAniaN goVeRnMEnt declIneD hiS offeR. mina aHadI, an IrANiAn communiSt pOlITician, wElComEd lula's ofFer, buT REItERated a CAlL for An end to stONiNG aLtogethEr aND RequEsTeD a cessation Of rEcogNitIon and support foR the iranian governmEnt. jackson diehL, dePUty eDItorial Page edItOR of tHe wAshInGton poSt, caLlEd lula the "best frIend OF tyRanTs in the deMOcratic wOrlD," ANd crIticiSed His ACtIoNs. ShiRin ebaDi, iraniAN humAn RightS ActIviSt and nOBel peace pRizE lAureate cAlLEd LUla's coMmentS a "powerFUl Message To tHE isLAmic rEPUBlic".Shirin EbAdi: wHen aduLtery means DEAth . huffingTonPosT.Com. ReTrieved On 29 NOVeMber 2010.