Taliban Flog 13 People, Including 3 Women, in Three Provinces

The Taliban have flogged 13 individuals — including three women — in public across the provinces of Parwan, Ghazni, and Kapisa, according to a statement from the group’s Supreme Court.

According to an official statement, five people — including one woman — were flogged on Wednesday (May 14), in Bagram district of Parwan province on charges of “adultery.” Each received 39 lashes and was sentenced to two to three years in prison.

In a separate statement, the court said that two men were publicly flogged in Waghaz district of Ghazni province for “sodomy.” Each received 30 lashes; one was sentenced to one year in prison, and the other to three months.

The Supreme Court also reported that on Monday, six individuals — including two women — were publicly flogged in the Hesa Awal and Hesa Duwum districts of Kapisa province.

According to the court, four of them — including the two women — were punished for “running away from home and illicit relations,” while the other two were charged with “sodomy” and “sexual assault.” Four received 39 lashes, and the other two received 22 lashes. Additionally, four were sentenced to one year in prison, and two to six months.

Since regaining power, the Taliban have repeatedly carried out public floggings of alleged offenders and have also executed at least ten individuals in front of large crowds.

International human rights organizations have condemned these punishments as violations of international law and human dignity, calling for an immediate end to such practices.