A WOMAN who faced being stoned to death in Iran for the “crime” of becoming a Christian was granted a re­prieve last night when Britain postponed her deportation.

Samar Razavi, 30, was just hours away from being forced on to a Tehran-bound plane when Daily Express columnist Ann Widdecombe raised her case in Parliament.

After the intervention, Home Office officials told Miss Widdecombe the deportation would be put off while the case was reconsidered.

Samar came to the UK three years ago to study English, having already converted from Islam because her boyfriend in Iran was a Christian.

But during her time in Britain, the authorities in Iran learned that she had become a Christian and they issued a death warrant.

Speaking in the Commons yesterday, Miss Widdecombe said Samar had been refused asylum even though she was under a death warrant.

To shouts of support at Prime Minister’s Question Time, she said: “Will you please look at the case with an urgent view to intervention?”

Samar was detained on Tuesday last week, despite officials being shown a copy of the death warrant which warned of “stoning to death”. She has been supported by friends at the church she attends in Bournemouth.

Last night supporter Ruth Oliver said: “We are not rejoicing because we’ve a long way to go. And there are plenty of people who are in detention centres who don’t get this help.”

Samar’s faith deepened while she was in Britain and she sought asylum, but it was considered she had no reason to remain here.

source