Iran brands Carla Bruni-Sarkozy “a prostitute”

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the French First Lady, has been called a “prostitute” by Iranian representatives after she criticized the country’s decision to stone a woman to death.

French First Lady Bruni-Sarkozy backed a campaign to save Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two who faced stoning to death for adultery. Mrs Bruni issued an open letter in which she wrote: ““Why shed your blood and deprive your children of their mother? Because you have lived, because you have loved, because you’re a woman, and because you’re an Iranian? Everything within me refuses to accept this.”

Among those who are campaigning for Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani’s release and among backers of First Lady’s letter are Isabelle Adjani, the French actress, and former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.