Despite widespread objections by international organizations and human rights activists, Iran’s First Deputy to the Head of the Judiciary, Seyed Ebrahim Raeisi, said today that the amputation of a thief’s hand was “based on the law and divine punishment,” and that this action is “a source of pride for us.”

“The implementation of this sentence was based on the law and divine punishment and it will be repeated in the future based on a judge’s determination and according to the law,” Aftab News website quoted Raeisi regarding the amputation of a hand of a thief in Yazd. Raeisi spoke to reporters at the Prevention Police Commanders Conference on Tuesday, adding, “All punishments defined in the law will be implemented, but the cases are different, based on the judge’s decision and during the legal process…If the judge decides on a ruling, it must be implemented. Punishments such as amputations of the hands of thieves have always existed and they are nothing new…”

“The punishment for theft is determined through conditions defined by the Penal Code, as well as instances which are proven to the judge,” said Raeisi, adding that cutting the hands of thieves is based on divine punishment and a source of great pride for [the Judiciary].

Read the Campaign’s press release regarding the increase in flogging and amputation sentences here: http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2010/10/executions-vakilabad/