Taliban Publicly Flog 9 In Kabul, Kunduz On Charges Of Sex, Drug Offenses

The Taliban judiciary has announced the public flogging of nine individuals, including two women, in Kabul and Kunduz provinces. The punishments were carried out by the group’s counter-narcotics court in Kabul and its primary court in Qala-e-Zal district, Kunduz.

According to the Taliban’s Supreme Court, the individuals were sentenced on charges including “sexual relations outside of marriage,” the sale of hashish, and other drug-related offences.

On Tuesday, 20 May, a man and a woman in Kunduz were each sentenced to 39 lashes and three years’ imprisonment for alleged extramarital sexual relations. In a separate case in Kabul, another man and woman were flogged on similar charges.

Five additional men were publicly flogged in Kabul for allegedly selling hashish and other recreational drugs. These men received prison sentences ranging from eight months to three years and were subjected to between 20 and 30 lashes, according to the court’s statement.

The Taliban has not released details regarding the legal procedures or the rights afforded to the accused during trial. Over the past week, the group has flogged at least 25 people, including five women, across various provinces for a range of alleged offences.

The Taliban describes these punishments as the enforcement of Islamic Sharia. Despite strong condemnation from international human rights organisations, which regard public corporal punishment as a form of torture, the Taliban continues to carry out floggings and executions in public venues.

Since reclaiming power in August 2021, the Taliban has reinstated harsh judicial practices reminiscent of its previous rule, drawing widespread international criticism.