Basra looter has hands chopped off by vigilantes

Anaova ^ | 04/17/2003 | Ananova

[DeepInEnemyTerritory]

An Iraqi looter who was caught stealing from a house in Basra has had both of his hands cut off by a vigilante mob.

The injured thief, who has not been identified, was then apprehended by British soldiers, who took him to a hospital for treatment.

UK military officials in the city are warning the backlash against the looters could mean more violence as thefts from schools, hospitals and family homes have created a well of anger.

They say many civillians are irate about the degeneration of law and order in Iraq's capital and are administering their own brand of law enforcement. The residents' animosity has been fuelled after water tank built to distribute vital clean water to a district of the city was left useless when looters stole its taps.

The army says caches of petrol bombs and guns have been found in homes - not for use against British soldiers but to defend against looters. Numerous civilians have been injured after householders began using anti-personnel landmines to defend their homes from thieves.

"Our biggest concern, which seems to be coming to fruition, is that if people think we can't provide protection then they will provide their own to use against the looters," said Major Paul Nanson, of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, whose soldiers are carrying out foot patrols in the city.

"Our patrols have found weapons and petrol bombs which were not for use against us, but to defend against the looters."

An Iraqi working as a translator for the Army, who gave his name only as Bashar, said: "The people who move around in the night now are not militia, they are thieves. Everyone protects his own family, and we have more guns. Every house has a gun."

[truth_seeker]

Basra = Sharia. So enters Sharia Law, imposed by Shiites.

We know cutting off hands, from Sunni Saudi Arabia (and Afghanistan).

Will Iraq be able to "unify" as a nation, with Sharia Law such as this, at least in majority Shiite regions?

[Theresa]

Some one needs to tell those people that looting is simply...."untidy."

[HiTech RedNeck]

This isn't a sharia legal system. This is vigilantism. No way we are going to let them write a new constitution that enables sharia law.

[Rasputin_TheMadMonk]

While I find Sharia law to be mostly repugnant and inhumane, there are instances that I just can't help but agree with the result.

Steal and lose a hand, lie and lose your tongue? That's the only reason that politicians will stand up against the imposition of a moslem state in the Americas. Fear of losing their ability to address their "Fellow Uhmerikans".

[xrmusn]

Ah yes and for some archaic reason we wonder why people don't respect us when "we" feel that a 25 year sentence for murder with the possibility of parole in 10 or so years is justice -- BTW it would just about put politicians OUT OF BUSINESS if one were to have his tongue cut out for lying.

[MJY1288]

I believe this is why their was no big deal made over the Shiites not attending the big gathering in Al Nasaria. Sharia Law is barbaric period and has no place in any type of civil society. The Iraqi people are a proud people who will never accept a form of government that is more barbaric than Saddam's

[Jhoffa_]

A good reason why people need weapons..

In the event of a major terrorist event, all that food, water & duct tape isn't going to do you a bit of good is someone takes it away from you. If they are feeling the urge, they might rape your daughter also..

Have you hugged your gun today?

[Enough is ENOUGH]

Numerous civilians have been injured after householders began using anti-personnel landmines to defend their homes from thieves.

LOL. Landmines to protect your house. I bet it's an effective counter measure. If it catches on here it could be bigger than the duct tape buying frenzy.

[HiTech RedNeck]

but they could also blind you for reading free republic

[sheik yerbouty]

Shi'ite happens!

[EternalVigilance]

While I disagree with the harsh punishment meted out, the fact remains that these people, like all people, have an unalienable, God-given right to self-defense.

If wisdom prevails, the new Free Iraqi Constitution will implement the principles outlined in our Bill of Rights.

Then if we could just get American politicians to call those principles to mind once again...

[Bonaparte]

"Everyone protects his own family, and we have more guns. Every house has a gun."

Sounds to me like these folks are well on their way to self-governance.

[Concentrate]

An Iraqi working as a translator for the Army, who gave his name only as Bashar, said: "The people who move around in the night now are not militia, they are thieves. Everyone protects his own family, and we have more guns. Every house has a gun."

It actually sounds like an actual racist BBC hit piece. Actually, the entire article has been actually written around the regrettable fact that the actual people of Basra actually have actual guns, making the actual British author of this piece actually quite actually enraged, not to mention actually jealous, the actual truth of this actual article being actually questionable, actually.

[A CA Guy]

Yeah kiddo, they sound like they've advanced their self governing style from that of 300AD to at least 336AD today in the year 2003AD.

Happy Easter, beware the French!

[philetus]

When they start writing their constitution and WE try to stop yhem, all hell is going to break loose.

[Bonaparte]

Every little bit helps. :-)

And a Happy Easter to you, ACG!

[EaglesUpForever]

No way we are going to let them write a new constitution that enables sharia law.

I hope not, but it's kind of funny... if there were a vote, they might well vote for a theocracy - especially with the influence of neighboring countries.

It would be really nice if separation of church and state were a more prevalent concept over there.

[sd-joe]

householders began using anti-personnel landmines to defend their homes from thieves.

The mind spins at the thought.

[George W. Bush]

LOL. Landmines to protect your house.

My reaction exactly. Of course, it does make cutting the grass more of an adventure.