Iran amputates hands of two thieves in Isfahan
Iran has carried out amputation sentences on two people convicted of theft in Isfahan Central Prison, the head of the Isfahan Justice Department announced on Tuesday.
Iran has carried out amputation sentences on two people convicted of theft in Isfahan Central Prison, the head of the Isfahan Justice Department announced on Tuesday.
Asadollah Jaafari, who did not identify the two men, described them as "professional thieves” with multiple convictions as well as crimes such as destruction and intentional harm.
He added that the sentences were carried out "after undergoing legal procedures in the prosecutor's office, the preliminary court, and the provincial appeals court, with final confirmation of the verdict by the Supreme Court."
However, Jaafari did not provide specific details regarding the specific charges.
International human rights organizations have consistently condemned such punishments.
In April, Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, told Iran International in an interview that "corporal punishment, including amputation, is absolutely prohibited under international law. And if executed, will amount to torture or ill-treatment."
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a signatory, explicitly prohibits inhumane or degrading punishments. Human rights advocates argue that amputation sentences violate the fundamental principle of human dignity enshrined in international law.
At least 237 individuals in Iran were sentenced to amputation between 1 January 2000 and 24 September 2020, with at least 129 of those sentences carried out, according to Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office.
According to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, Iran's judiciary chief, "If theft is proven under the conditions set by Islam, the thief's fingers must be amputated."
In a response to Iran International, the legal team at TAERYUN Law Firm said Korean criminal law clearly applies to the case as the alleged assault occurred on South Korean soil.
“Korean criminal law applies to offenses committed within Korea, regardless of nationality or whether the crime occurred during an international competition,” the law firm said.
“No international sports event, diplomatic immunity, or any kind of honor can overshadow the pain of the victim. We will stand by the victim until the end so that she does not suffer alone.”
The suspects—two athletes and one coach from the Iranian delegation—remain in custody after being arrested at a hotel in Gumi on May 31. According to Iranian media, the athletes claimed partial consent; however, authorities rejected that defense and detained all three men.
Grave criminal case, not a diplomatic sideshow, law firm says
TAERYUN is pursuing the case under Articles 297 and 298 of South Korea’s Criminal Act (rape and forcible molestation), crimes that can carry penalties of up to life imprisonment. The firm also said that the case may qualify for aggravated charges under special provisions for sexual offenses.
“This is not a simple legal dispute but a fight to protect the victim’s life,” TAERYUN said. “We will resolutely oppose any external pressure or attempts at settlement.”
The law firm stressed that the victim is suffering from severe psychological trauma, and efforts are underway to protect her identity and mental well-being under Article 30 of the law concerning sexual crimes.
“The victim’s wishes must be fully respected and her protection must be the top priority,” TAERYUN added, warning against any attempt to repatriate the suspects.
Pressure builds in Iran
The case has generated a firestorm of controversy in Iran, where public protests and growing scrutiny of Iran’s sports leadership are prompting officials to distance themselves from the accused and call for resignations.
Earlier in the month, Ahmad Rastineh, spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s Cultural Committee, confirmed that the Minister of Sport, Ahmad Donyamali, had been summoned to explain the incident.
“It was decided that an urgent report on the incident and the violations that occurred be submitted to the Cultural Committee,” Rastineh said.
He added that preliminary investigations revealed mismanagement by team supervisors and that disciplinary action would include suspending the head of the delegation’s security, as well as the team’s head coach and supervisor, until the case is resolved.
Meanwhile, Rouhollah Lak-Aliabadi, spokesman for the Parliament’s Sports Faction, told protesters gathered outside the Iranian parliament that key officials must resign in the wake of the scandal.
“Those responsible must be held accountable. They must resign,” Lak-Aliabadi said in a widely shared video, responding to family members of Iranian athletes demanding the dismissal of senior sports officials.
He criticized public remarks downplaying the seriousness of the incident and rebuked former national football coach Mohammad Mayelikohan’s comment that “this happens in other countries too,” saying: “It may be ordinary elsewhere, but it is not normal for Iran, and we will take this very seriously.”
Allegations against federation president resurface
The scandal has reignited long-standing accusations against Ehsan Haddadi, president of Iran’s Athletics Federation. Haddadi, a former Olympic medalist, has faced past allegations, including an unresolved claim of sexual assault.
Protesters outside the parliament accused Hadadi of failing to oversee athlete conduct and accused him of traveling with personal guests while delegating responsibility.
One woman at the demonstration told lawmakers:“I have a young daughter. Yet a bachelor who has an open sexual assault case, was made a federation director. On his first trip with the national team, he abandoned athletes and brought a personal guest.”
Multiple rallies have been held by members of Iran’s track and field community, with thousands signing petitions calling for Haddadi’s removal, citing both the latest incident and past misconduct allegations.
