Taliban Publicly Flogs Seven In Ghazni & Sar-e Pol For Theft, Gambling

The Taliban’s Supreme Court announced that seven individuals were publicly flogged in Ghazni and Sar-e Pol provinces on charges of theft, gambling, and illicit relationships.

The court issued separate statements detailing the punishments. In Sar-e Pol’s Sayyad district, five individuals were flogged for gambling. In Ghazni’s Muqur and Waghaz districts, two others faced lashes for theft and “illicit relationships.” All seven were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from two months to five years.

No details were provided about the identities of those punished or the legal proceedings involved. The Taliban have previously imposed punishments for minor interactions, such as phone contact between men and women.

The floggings were carried out in public, witnessed by local officials, court staff, and residents, according to the court.

In the past week, Taliban courts have publicly flogged at least 33 people across Afghanistan, including five women, as part of their enforcement of strict moral and criminal codes.