According to local sources and the Taliban Supreme Court, 13 people, including one woman, were publicly flogged in the provinces of Nangarhar, Laghman, Herat, and Sar-e-Pul.
Local sources reported that on Wednesday, February 26, three men in the “Spin Ghar” district of Nangarhar province were each given 39 lashes on charges of “illicit relations” and “sodomy.” Two of them were sentenced to one year in prison, and the other two to two years. According to these sources, the punishment was handed down by the Taliban’s primary court in this district.
Meanwhile, the Taliban Supreme Court issued a statement saying that six people were flogged yesterday (Tuesday, February 25) in the “Alishing” district of Laghman province on charges of “committing various crimes.” The court did not provide details about the accusations, the number of lashes, or the prison sentences for these individuals.
In another statement, the Taliban Supreme Court said that three people, including one woman, were flogged with 39 lashes and sentenced to two years in prison on Monday, February 24 in Herat city for “illicit relations.” This sentence was issued by the Taliban’s primary court in Herat province.
Additionally, another statement from the court reported the punishment of a man on charges of “running away from home” in Sar-e-Pul province. According to the statement, the man was sentenced to 39 lashes in public and one year in prison. This ruling was issued by the criminal court of the appellate court in the province.
Since regaining control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have intensified physical punishments, citing their interpretation of Sharia law. Since then, they have publicly flogged hundreds of people and executed at least six individuals in front of spectators. Human rights organizations have criticized these practices as lacking fair trial standards and violating international laws and human dignity.
