( CNN ) -- Brazil 's president has offered asylum to an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning , state-run media reported Saturday . President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva was quoted by Brazil 's official state news agency EBC as saying `` I want to make an appeal to my friend Ahmadinejad ... and to the government of Iran to allow Brazil to take in the woman . '' Brazil recently participated in talks with Iran aimed at restarting negotiations about Iran 's nuclear program . In May , Brazil helped broker a deal with Iran that would provide Tehran with enriched uranium for medical research . Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was convicted of adultery in 2006 and was originally sentenced to death by stoning . Iranian authorities say the sentence has been put on hold , but there have been no reports as to whether a new sentence has been imposed . The 43-year-old mother of two is reportedly still being held held in Tabriz prison . Iran 's judiciary could reinstate her sentence of death by stoning , execute her by another means , or possibly even grant her a reprieve , according to human rights groups . Ashtiani 's attorney , Mohammad Mostafaei , told CNN earlier this month that his client confessed to the crime after being subjected to 99 lashes . He said she later recanted the confession and denied any wrongdoing . Mostafaei has gone into hiding since last weekend after being interrogated by Iranian authorities , human rights groups say . Advocates and Mostafaei say his wife and brother-in-law are being held by Iranian authorities . A letter believed to be written by Mostafaei was posted on the Internet on Saturday , calling for the release of his relatives . The lawyer says he has cooperated with interrogators , and says his wife and brother-in-law are victims of of `` hostage taking . '' Mostafaei said he and his family are innocent of any wrongdoing . The Guardian newspaper previously reported that Mostafaei 's wife was arrested when they were unable to find him . CNN 's Gena Somra contributed to this report .
Brazil 's president offers asylum to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani . Lawyer of woman says his wife is being unfairly held . Brazil 's president has been involved in diplomatic talks with Iran in recent months . Iran says Ashtiani 's stoning sentence was commuted , but no word on alternate sentence .