Tehran: Iranian authorities have amputated the hand of a convicted thief in front of other prisoners, state radio reported Sunday.
The amputation reported Sunday was the second this month.
And a week ago, a judge ordered the same punishment for a man who stole from a candy shop, though there has been no public word on whether that sentence has been carried out.
Sunday's report said the 32-year-old convict, whose hand was cut off at a prison in the central city of Yazd, had committed four robberies and other crimes.
It did not elaborate or identify the prisoner by name. Yazd is located southeast of the capital, Tehran.
There were no details on how the punishment was carried out.
An audience of fellow inmates was assembled to witness the amputation, which could be a sign that such punishments will be done before the public in the future.
The reporting of the punishment on state-run radio indicated it had approval from senior Iranian leaders.
Critics say amputations and public executions and floggings hurt Iran's image and reflect badly on Islam.
