Tehran (AsiaNews) – The international campaign on behalf of Sakineh Ashtiani continues. The Iranian woman was sentenced to death for adultery and complicity in the murder of her husband. The latest twist to the affair is the arrest yesterday of two German journalists. They had interviewed the woman’s son who has maintained contacts with international media for the past three weeks and has appealed to the Western world to save his mother.

For Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast, the two “had links with foreign-based counterrevolutionary networks”.

Iranian public prosecutor Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie confirmed the arrest; yesterday, he had announced the detention of two foreigners, suggesting they were German, noting that the two who had entered the country on tourist visas and were "now in custody" after they had asked Sakineh’s son some questions.

"An investigation by official authorities showed these people are not journalists and they have been arrested for faking their journalistic status," Ejeie was quoted as saying.

German Chancellor German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for the release of two journalists.

“We are naturally very concerned that the two citizens are freed,' Merkel said during a visit to the Romania. “The Foreign Ministry is doing everything in its power,' she added.

Still, some questions are being raised about the whole affair and the international coverage it has generated. A source from within Iran’s dissident circles spoke to AsiaNews, asking how “can a young man call major international media without being intercepted and stopped by the authorities.”

“I fear the authorities are using this case to distract attention from Iran’s nuclear programme, which continues at full speed,” the source said after personally speaking to Sakineh’s son.