TEHRAN - Iranian authorities have cut off the hand of a convicted thief after a court ruling in the western city of Malayer, the hardline Kayhan newspaper reported on Saturday.

"Following a court ruling, a thief`s hand was amputated in Malayer," the report said, referring to the city located in Hamedan province.

It did not specify if the verdict was carried out in public or in prison, or if a doctor was present during the amputation.

Under Iran`s Sharia-based Islamic law, amputation is permissible for crimes such as thefts.

Kayhan said the thief had previously been caught and sentenced several times, before the judge ruled for amputation.

BDST: 13:11 HRS, July 3, 2010