Taliban Flog Five People, Including a Woman, in Ghazni

The Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced that five individuals, including a woman, have been flogged in Ghazni province on charges of extramarital relations and alcohol consumption.

According to a statement released by the court on Sunday, 18 May, the floggings were carried out in the districts of Jaghori and Ab Band in Ghazni.

The statement notes that two of the convicts were sentenced to two years and six months in prison, along with 35 lashes each. Another individual was sentenced to five years in prison and 39 lashes. The remaining two were given three years in prison and between 19 to 39 lashes each.

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have implemented strict interpretations of Sharia law, publicly flogging hundreds of people and executing at least ten others.

International human rights organizations and activists have repeatedly condemned such punishments, calling them violations of international law and human dignity, and have urged the Taliban to halt these practices.