Yes, you read that correctly. Iran has decided to show the world its latest form of punishment – the finger-chopping machine. 

The machine, resembling a saw, was used for the public amputation of a thief’s fingers on Wednesday. The images were published by on of Iran’s official press agencies. Apparently the machine has been used before, but it’s not clear for how long. 

Reports France24: 

According to the INSA press agency, the man shown getting his finger cut off was charged with robbery and adultery by a court in the southwestern city of Shiraz. He was also accused of being at the head of a criminal organisation. On top of losing his fingers on one hand, he was sentenced to three years in prison and 99 whip lashes. 

The spokesperson for Iran Human Rights, Mahmoud Amiry-Moghaddam, who is based in Norway, told France24: 

What is surprising about this is that not only was this a public amputation, but that photos of it were distributed by official press agencies, and that they showed a machine that we had until yet never seen images of. We have noticed that the authorities have recently being making more and more publicity surrounding cases of corporal punishment. Every time we get closer to an election, the number of these incidents increases. And we’re getting quite close to the presidential election [slated for June]. I believe this is a strategy to instil fear in the population so as to avoid any protests.

The man appears to show no pain, and its thought he may have been drugged during the amputation.

[Source: France24]