Pictures emerge of evil Islamic State chopping off 'thief's hand in brutal punishment
ISLAMIC State fighters have released pictures of a man having his HAND cut off after he was accused of stealing.
The pictures show the blindfolded 'thief' being dragged in front of a crowd into a public square in what is believed to be the Syrian city of Raqqa, the Islamic State's self-declared capital.
The suspected criminal is placed on a chair in the square while one militant holds his arm down and two more use a meat cleaver to chop his hand off.
The photos were brought to the world's attention by the undercover group Raqqa Is Suffering Silently, which aims to show the world the atrocities carried out by IS members.
It is believed the pictures may be from an as-yet unreleased propaganda video.
The amputation of hands as a punishment for theft is not uncommon in some Islamic countries.
In Saudi Arabia, a Yemeni man who was convicted of robbery had his right hand amputated in 2014.
Around one person a year receives the punishment in Saudi Arabia, reports say.
Amputation for theft is also used in Iran and parts of Somalia and Nigeria.
Supporters of the punishment argue there is justification for it in the Koran.
The images were released the day after a video emerged of the Islamic State murder of a suspected spy.
The shocking film, which was filmed in the Syrian city of Aleppo, shows a man, who is believed to be called Ahmed Muhammad, shot in the head by masked killers.
