Somalia steps up amputations for criminals

Four men from Somalia have had their hands cut off for stealing phones and guns. Hardline Islamists carried out the sentences on the men after they had been convicted in a Sharia court earlier this week.

Mainly women and children watched as masked men cut off a hand and foot of each of the men with machetes. Witnesses have said the four men cried for help during and after the amputations.

The four men had reportedly admitted to the robberies, but were given no appeal against their sentence. Most Somalis traditionally practise a more tolerant form of Islam but President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who took office in January, immediately allowed Sharia law. [Baltimore News.Net] Read more