GUILLOTINE-Y AS CHARGED: Iran Chops Fingers Off 28-Year-Old Thief

Iranian authorities have cut four fingers off a 28-year-old robber serving seven years behind bars – with seven more crooks waiting for their turn.

The man – identified as Morteza Jalili from Eslamshahr, Tehran Province – is the first of eight prisoners to suffer amputation.

Iran justice officials have been so overwhelmed by finger amputation judgements that they recently bought a grim spinning guillotine just for the task.

The post of the United Nations called for an end to the issuance and execution of amputation sentences in Iran. (@UNHumanRights/Newsflash)

Jalili was transferred from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj to Tehran’s Evin Prison for the amputation, which took place on Monday, 5th September.

Four days later, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights – a Kurdish rights group – reported that Jalili’s fingers were cut off with the guillotine-like device.

According to reports, Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Shahivand, Mehdi Sharafian, Amir Shirmard, Morteza Jalili, Yaqub Fazel Koshki, and Ebrahim Rafiei are the seven other inmates awaiting the same judgement.

The photo shows one of the finger amputation machines used on people convicted of theft in Iran. (Newsflash)

The Islamic Republic has amputated fingers of several prisoners over recent months, while several others are reportedly awaiting execution.

Iranian authorities have called on judges not to hesitate to issue death and amputation sentences, as such punishments are in accordance with Sharia law.

The UN and other human rights organisations have described the amputations as “barbaric, medieval and a torture” and have repeatedly advocated for an end to the procedure.

The photo shows one of the finger amputation machines used on people convicted of theft in Iran. (Newsflash)

In June, the head of the Iranian Association of Surgeons, Iraj Fazel, called the practice “worrying and horrifying” and urged the judiciary not to permit it as a way of punishing offenders.

And Amnesty International deputy director Diana Eltahawy said in July: “These amputations are particularly harrowing displays of the Iranian authorities’ contempt for human rights and dignity.”

Iran performs more executions than any other country in the world apart from China.

The photo shows one of the finger amputation machines used on people convicted of theft in Iran. (Newsflash)

According to reports, execution numbers in Iran have exceeded over 400 for the first time in five years.

The number of inmates executed in Iran this year currently stands at 404.