By ,
Published December 23, 2015
Facing global backlash, Saudi Arabia changed its sentence for a Sri Lankan maid convicted of adultery -- she'll go to prison instead of being stoned to death, a Sri Lankan official revealed.
A Saudi appeals court decided to reconsider the initial ruling on Sri Lanka's request, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva.
The maid and an unmarried Sri Lankan man were convicted in August. While she was sentenced to death, he was sentenced to 100 lashes.
The woman is a 45-year-old married mother of two, according to reports. The Sri Lankan government has not revealed their identities.
Saudi officials did not comment on Sri Lanka's announcement. It's unclear how long the prison sentence would last.
Critics have long blasted the Saudi government for what they call its ultraconservative laws. Women cannot drive, and must get a man's permission to travel abroad.
The news comes two weeks after Iran revealed it had sentenced a woman to death by stoning. The announcement came on International Human Rights Day.
Analysts say Iran may still change that woman's death sentence, from stoning to hanging.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/saudi-arabia-reverses-decision-to-stone-maid-for-adultery-sri-lanka-claims