Tehran - Stoning as a capital punishment is being reported in Iran, most recently in the northern city of Rasht, a spokesman for the judiciary said Tuesday.

The ISNA news agency quoted Ali-Reza Jamshidi as saying that a man was stoned to death there in March for adultery.

The judiciary chief, Ayatollah Hashemi Shahrudi, had ordered the courts to halt stoning verdicts because of their negative international impact, but some courts, especially in the provinces, still issue the sentence.

Stoning is implemented in Iran mainly for sexual offences, such as adultery.

During stoning, men are buried up to their waist and women up to their necks and then stones are thrown against their head and body until they die.

But if a person escapes from the hole, they are acquitted and freed. (dpa)