Adultery Around the World: The Case of Sakineh Ashtiani

[Photo of Sakineh Ashtiani from guardian.co.uk]

As Augusta, Georgia divorce lawyers, we sometimes receive questions about the consequences of adultery in Georgia divorce cases.  And the consequences of cheating, if proven, can be serious in a divorce.  But  everything is relative.  Have you been following the tragic case of Iranian prisoner Sakineh Ashtiani?  This poor Iranian woman was convicted of adultery in Iran back in 2006 and, incredibly, the Iranian government has been trying to put her to death ever since!

Initially, she was sentenced by Iranian authorities to death by stoning.  Perhaps international pressure and focus on the case has prevented that unjust, inhumane outcome.  But now, this week, the Iranian Judiciary has announced that it is considering death by hanging as an alternative punishment.  This is outrageous!

Hopefully, the international spotlight will remain focused on this tragic case and will cause the Iranian Judiciary to back away from this proposed punishment for alleged adultery, too.

So, as you can see, while you should be concerned about and you should discuss the consequences of adultery with your own divorce attorney, at least, here, and in most other parts of the civilized world, no one faces the death penalty for it.  And that's the way it ought to be.  Don't you agree?