Convicted thief’s hand cut off by guillotine in Iran: Report

One hand of a 34-year-old convict was cut off by a guillotine in a prison in Iran for allegedly stealing sheep, jewellery and motorbikes.

A semi-official news agency in Iran reported that authorities have amputated the hand of a convicted thief in a prison in the country’s northeast.

A convict’s hand was cut off by a guillotine in a prison in Iran. (Getty Images/Vetta)

The report from the ISNA news agency says one hand of the 34-year-old convict — identified only as Ali — was cut off by “guillotine” in a prison in Mashhad, some 900 km northeast of the capital Tehran.

It said the convict was immediately sent to a hospital for treatment.

Thursday’s report said Ali was detained in 2011 for allegedly stealing sheep, jewellery and motorbikes.

Iran’s judiciary uses a strict interpretation of Islamic law in handing down such sentences. Cutting off the hands of thieves, however, has been rare in the recent years. Critics say amputations, public executions and floggings hurt Iran’s image.