Mogadishu, June 25, 2009, 11:26 PM-ET, (SOMINA)-Hard-line Islamists in Somalia have publicly amputated four men accused of theft in the capital Mogadishu, officials and witnesses said.

The four men accused of robbing people with a gun have been sentenced by Shebab court on Tuesday.

“Each one of the men had his hand and foot cut-off, the punishment was carried out under guidelines of the Islamic Sharia and we will continue carrying out such punishments on everybody that is found guilty of robbing people”, Sheik Husein Fidow, Shebab officer said.

Two Shebab members with their faces covered carried out the amputations publicly using knives.

 “We take the responsibility of their health until they recover from their wounds, Sheik Husein added.

Witnesses at the scene said the victims screamed during the amputation.

“It was horrific, the guys screamed when their hands were cut-off”, Abdulahi Sharif, another witness said.

MA-MB-MF