RASC News Agency: Sources have reported that the Taliban recently flogged two individuals on charges of immorality and theft. According to the sources, the Taliban carried out the flogging in the Muqor district of Ghazni province and in the provincial capital of Paktia. The Taliban’s Supreme Court confirmed the punishments in two separate statements, revealing that each individual received 39 lashes. One of the offenders was sentenced to four years in prison in Ghazni, while the other was sentenced to one year in Paktia.
The Taliban accused one of the individuals of theft and the other of immorality. The statements issued by the Taliban indicated that the corporal punishment was carried out publicly following the confirmation of the Supreme Court’s verdict. The local judiciary, government officials, and several local residents were reportedly present during the flogging in both provinces. The Taliban has previously executed similar punishments, with numerous individuals subjected to flogging and imprisonment. Afghanistani citizens claim that many of these punishments are arbitrary and based on unfounded allegations.
In the past year, the Taliban reportedly flogged 580 individuals, including 42 women, across various provinces, on charges ranging from theft to alleged immoral conduct. Reports indicate that in the final two months of the previous year, the Taliban publicly flogged 93 individuals, including 12 women, in 10 different provinces of Afghanistan. Despite repeated criticism from both the Afghanistani public and international organizations regarding the practice of flogging, the Taliban has steadfastly defended the continuation of corporal punishment, asserting the necessity of enforcing their interpretation of justice.