Issuance of 'Finger Amputation' Sentence for Two Theft Suspects by Tehran Criminal Court

The Tehran Criminal Court issued a sentence of finger amputation for two main suspects in a theft case, which is among the punishments that violate the principle of human dignity. According to the Harana news agency, in June 2022, thirteen individuals led by the two main suspects, Hafez and Armin, were pursued for stealing from the National Bank's safe deposit box at the National University branch. These individuals fled the country after the theft but were arrested by Turkish police and handed over to Iran. The court proceedings for this case were held in Branch 10 of the Tehran Criminal Court, where the suspects spent months in detention. Ultimately, the two main suspects were each sentenced to 74 lashes and finger amputation for the crime of 'acquiring stolen property,' while four other suspects received 74 lashes and prison sentences. Other defendants in this case also received prison sentences. It should be noted that the sentences of hand amputation and lashes are recognized as inhumane punishments that violate the principle of human dignity. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights explicitly prohibits such punishments. Nevertheless, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to implement these types of punishments despite domestic and international protests, and punishments such as hand amputation, crucifixion, throwing from heights, and stoning still exist in the Islamic Penal Code and are occasionally applied in judges' rulings. Afsoon Najafi about her sister Hadith: Her existence as a woman in Iran has become an act of resistance. Christian Weber, an Austrian citizen imprisoned in Iran, has been released. On the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, several human rights groups called for the release of women activists in Iran.