19 flogged in northeastern Afghanistan for adultery, theft, running away from home

Nineteen people in northeastern Afghanistan were held for adultery, theft and running away from home, a Supreme Court official said Sunday. The announcement underscored the Taliban’s intention to adhere to its strict interpretation of Islamic law, or sharia.

It appears to be the first official confirmation that whippings and floggings are taking place in Afghanistan since the Taliban took power in August 2021.

During its previous rule in the late 1990s, the group carried out public executions, floggings and stonings of those convicted of crimes in Taliban courts.

After invading Afghanistan last year, the Taliban initially promised to be more moderate and allow rights for women and minorities. Instead, they have restricted rights and freedoms, including banning girls’ education beyond the sixth grade.

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On Thursday, a Taliban spokesman said they are committed to implementing all Sharia law.

A location map of Afghanistan with its capital, Kabul, is shown.
(AP photo)

A Supreme Court official, Abdul Rahim Rashid, said 10 men and nine women were flogged 39 times each in the town of Taloqan in northeastern Takhar province on November 11. He said the punishment took place in the presence of elders, scholars and residents at the city’s main mosque after Friday prayers.

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Rashid did not provide personal details about the 19 people, such as where they were from or what happened to them after they were flogged. He said their cases were evaluated by two courts before they were sentenced, confirming the information in a Supreme Court statement.

The United Nations has said it is increasingly concerned that restrictions on girls’ education, as well as other measures that reduce basic freedoms, will deepen Afghanistan’s economic crisis and lead to greater insecurity, poverty and isolation .

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The former insurgents have struggled in their transition from insurgency and war to government amid an economic downturn and the international community’s withholding of official recognition.