Islamists punish alleged thieves with public amputations

BAMAKO, Mali // Islamists in the West African country of Mali say they have cut off the right hand and left foot of five suspected thieves, in the latest application of Shariah law in a northern region that was overrun by Al Qaeda-linked rebels five months ago.

Aliou Toure, the Islamic police commissioner in the city of Gao, said the amputations took place yesterday on a stage in a public square there. He said the five men had held up passenger buses leaving the city.

After the amputations, the victims were transferred to the Gao hospital.

Ibrahim Toure, a resident of Gao, said he was passing by just after the amputations had been carried out, and saw children carrying buckets of water to wash away the blood.