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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran unveils machine for amputating thievesÂ’ fingers
2013-01-27
We contacted many of our Observers in Iran to ask them about this machine. Some of them had heard about it before, but many discovered its existence through these morbid photographs, which were reportedly taken on Thursday. According to the INSA press agency, the man shown getting his finger cut off was charged with robbery and adultery by a court in the southwestern city of Shiraz. He was also accused of being at the head of a criminal organisation. On top of losing one of his fingers, he was sentenced to three years in prison and 99 whip lashes.

No independent witnesses were able to recount the circumstances under which this amputation took place. Four photos of the scene published by the press agency were widely relayed on social media networks. Strangely enough, the manÂ’s face did not betray any signs of suffering in the photos, though it is possible that he might have been drugged.

Following the amputation, Ali Alghasi, ShirazÂ’s public prosecutor, announced that sentences against criminals would become increasingly severe, without explaining why.

On January 20, two thieves were hanged in public in Tehran. They had been caught thanks to video filmed by a street surveillance camera that showed them robbing a man at knifepoint. They had stolen the equivalent of 20 euros.

Amputation, whipping, and even death by stoning are all legal forms of punishment under IranÂ’s Islamic penal code.
Posted by:tipper

#6  Actually, I have a 'one size-fits all' tool stashed in the garage. I call it Mr. Stihl.

A chainsaw would do nicely. :-)

Re: the guillotine. I met someone back in the 80's who had worked in the oil fields in Saudi Arabia. He lived in a compound largely sealed off from the kingdom. But one day he was in the city when someone tried to pick his pocket. The coppers nabbed the perp and the police captain offered this guy his sword to cut off the perp's right hand right there and then. The guy froze so the captain cut off the perp's right hand himself in front of this guy.

I wasn't there so I can't vouch for the facts. But something tells me that they don't use a guillotine....
Posted by: Mike Ramsey   2013-01-27 20:49  

#5  I think the one for heads is called a guillotine, Mike. ;-) But then, isn't the one for fingers formally known as a cigar cutter?
Actually, I have a 'one size-fits all' tool stashed in the garage. I call it Mr. Stihl.
Posted by: USN,Ret.   2013-01-27 18:05  

#4  If protesting the violation of human rights would get a tongue snipped, I can think of a few nominees we should send as ambassadors ; D
Posted by: Kojo Wholuse5660   2013-01-27 16:57  

#3  I foresee problems with the union of professional executioners. Fingers are just the beginning, next it will be hands, and finally, heads.

I think the one for heads is called a guillotine, Mike. ;-) But then, isn't the one for fingers formally known as a cigar cutter?
Posted by: trailing wife   2013-01-27 16:38  

#2  I foresee problems with the union of professional executioners. Fingers are just the beginning, next it will be hands, and finally, heads.
Posted by: Mike Ramsey   2013-01-27 10:06  

#1  Next they will invent the Citroen.
Posted by: Shipman   2013-01-27 08:38  

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