Tehran - Iranian lawmakers are moving to outlaw stoning as as a form of Islamic punishment, the official news agency IRNA reported Monday.

Ali Shahrokhi, head of the parliament judiciary commission, told IRNA that some traditional Islamic punishments, such as stoning, will be dropped from the country's laws.

He also said cutting off hands - an Islamic punishment for thieves - will be outlawed under the amended laws.

During stoning, men are buried up to their waist and women up to their necks, and then stones are thrown against their head and body until they die.

But if a person escapes from the hole, they are acquitted and freed.

The draft by the judiciary commission is expected to be approved first by the parliament, and finalized by the senate-like Guardian Council, which is in charge of conforming laws to the constitution and Islamic criteria, he said. (dpa)