Three men in Iran have their hands amputated for theft

They had refused to cooperate with the judiciary and return several kilograms of gold and jewelry, the media quoted the judicial authorities in the city of Urmia as saying.

The forced amputation of hands for repeat offenders is enshrined in Islamic criminal law and is intended to encourage offenders to repent and prevent further offenses. As a rule, the amputation is carried out by forensic doctors. Internationally - and in Iran itself - draconian punishments such as amputation or stoning are strongly condemned and classified as inhumane.