Carla Bruni-Sarkozy 'a prostitute', claims Iranian media

French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (PA)

Iranian state media called France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy a "prostitute" on Monday in an unusual attack on the wife of a world leader that shows deep anger over her support for an Iranian woman who faced death by stoning for adultery.

The wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy has condemned the stoning sentence against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, which Iran suspended after an international outcry.

Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, could still face execution by hanging.