TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) – Officials say two men in Iran have been stoned to death for adultery and murder, while another escaped death by digging his way out of the hole where he was buried to face a similar fate, according to media reports.? The sentences follow sharp criticism by human rights groups of Iran’s use of such punishments.Judiciary spokesman Alireza Jamshidi yesterday told reporters about the stonings,Nike Air Max 97 Australia, which took place in the northeastern city of Mashhad about 20 days ago, the reports said.According to the Mashhad prosecutor, the men committed various crimes, including adultery and murder, Jamshidi said.In the practice, the men are buried up to their chests and people pelt them with stones until they die.A third man was supposed to have been stoned to death. However, he freed himself by climbing out of the stone hole. He still awaits punishment.“Stoning is a horrific practice designed to increase the suffering of those facing execution, and it has no place in the modern world,Huarache Shoes For Men,” Amnesty International said last year.Jamshidi said Iran’s Judiciary Chief,Wholesale Jerseys China, Ayatollah Heshemi Shahroudi,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, had made recommendations that would ban the practice,Jerseys NBA Cheap China, and that a measure has been introduced in Parliament to stop the punishment.But, “Until this measure is approved and becomes law,NFL Jerseys China Online, the judges have the independence not to pay heed to the recommendations of the Judiciary Chief,” Jamshidi said.“The majority of those sentenced to death by stoning are women. Women are not treated equally with men under the law and by the courts, and they are also particularly vulnerable to unfair trials because their higher illiteracy rate makes them more likely to sign confessions to crimes they did not commit,” Amnesty said.