Head of the Majlis judiciary commission Ali Shahrokhi says stoning, heresy and cutting hands will be omitted from Iran's penal laws.

“The Majlis judiciary commission studied the new Islamic punishment bill and decided that it is unnecessary to include some penalties, such as stoning, in the law,” Shahrokhi told IRNA on Monday.

“Islam is strict about some penalties, including stoning which needs specific conditions to be carried out and in most cases it is difficult to prove guilt,” he said.

In order for the punishment for stoning - the penalty for adultery - to be carried out, Islamic law requires four reputable eyewitness "accusers" to testify to seeing "the accused" commit the offense.

Shahrokhi referred to the Islamic punishment bill as one of the greatest achievements of Iran's judicial system during Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi's 10-year term as head of the country's judiciary.

The new Islamic punishment bill will be presented to Majlis in the near future and will then be sent to the Guardian Council for final considerations.

TE/HGH