RASC News Agency: Local sources in Paktika report that the Taliban publicly flogged a man in the province, accusing him of engaging in an illicit relationship. According to these sources, the punishment was carried out based on a coerced confession. The Taliban’s Supreme Court issued a statement confirming that the punishment followed a ruling by the primary court in Paktika. The statement disclosed that the individual was sentenced earlier today Monday, November 25.
The man was subjected to 21 lashes and sentenced to six months in prison. However, the court refrained from revealing his identity. A source alleged that the Taliban arbitrarily administered the punishment, relying solely on a confession extracted under duress. This incident is part of an alarming trend. Over the past month, the Taliban have publicly flogged 99 individuals, including 15 women, across various provinces, accusing them of a range of offenses. Afghanistani citizens have repeatedly accused the Taliban of conducting these punishments arbitrarily, often based on forced confessions and intimidation.
The provinces of Jawzjan and Khost have recorded the highest number of such incidents, with 22 and 17 public floggings, respectively, reported in the last month alone. Since reclaiming power, the Taliban have progressively reverted to their draconian practices of the 1990s, including public corporal punishments. The group has consistently defended these actions as adherence to their interpretation of Sharia law, showing no intention of halting these measures despite widespread condemnation.
The Taliban’s actions have been met with staunch criticism from both the international community and Afghanistani citizens. Yet, the group remains undeterred, continuing to enforce these punitive measures in blatant disregard of human rights and global censure.
