The State Department defended her , questions fairness of trial . U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon , speaking in July , said the death penalty has no place in the 21st century and urged all countries to work toward its abolition . Woman was sentenced to death for the 2007 murder of a former intelligence ministry official . Rights group says she was sexually assaulted and killed her attacker in self - defense . It says she was convicted of murder after ` ` a flawed investigation and unfair trial ''
The State Department defended her , questions fairness of trial . Woman was sentenced to death for the 2007 murder of a former intelligence ministry official . Rights group says she was sexually assaulted and killed her attacker in self - defense . It says she was convicted of murder after ` ` a flawed investigation and unfair trial ''