Hussain Hazbavi 
Ahwaz – Iranian officials have confirmed the amputation of the hands of two men convicted of theft at Isfahan Central Prison, in a move widely condemned by human rights advocates as a brutal form of punishment.
The announcement came Tuesday from Asadollah Jaafari, head of the Isfahan Justice Department, who referred to the men as “professional thieves” with prior convictions, including alleged involvement in acts of destruction and intentional harm. He did not disclose their identities or provide specific details about the charges.
According to Jaafari, the amputations were carried out after what he described as full legal proceedings, including reviews by the prosecutor’s office, preliminary court, appeals court, and final confirmation by Iran’s Supreme Court.
Despite the judiciary’s claim of legal due process, the use of corporal punishment—including amputation—has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights groups, who argue such practices violate international conventions against torture and inhumane treatment.
Iran remains one of the few countries in the world where amputations are still carried out as judicial punishment.
