Accused of ‘illicit relationship’, a young couple were lashed in public by the Taliban in Bamyan province, local sources tell Zan Times.
The youths, whose names are Mohammad Esa and Arezu, had travelled from Kabul to Bamyan in search of entertainment. They were arrested in Band-e-Amir area in Yakawlang District 40 days ago and had remained in Taliban custody.
“This boy and girl were lashed 29 times at Shaheed Mazari Stadium in front of the Bamyan Buddhas,” adds the source, who asks not to be identified. A large crowd witnessed their punishment.
Another source who confirmed the events of the couple’s arrest and punishment tells Zan Times that the Taliban did not allow anyone to photograph or record videos of this public spectacle.
In addition to violating fundamental freedoms of the citizens since their return to power, the Taliban has enforced brutal punishment laws based on the group’s extremist view of Islam. Most of their punishments are not practised in most Islamic countries.
On the weekend, the Taliban publicly lashed 18 men and women in Taloqan city, the capital of Takhar. Eyewitnesses say that the women had been arrested in the market for not observing Islamic hijab rules, or being out of their homes without a male chaperone, and after having kept them in custody for two weeks, they were lashed. At the same time, several men were also lashed because they’d shaved their beards, got haircuts or listened to music.
In particular, the Taliban hand down extremely harsh sentences for those accused to having sex outside of marriage. Nearly a month ago, they had a couple lashed in Firoz Koh city of Ghor province.
There are signs that the Taliban wants to expand its use of brutality. In a recent meeting with the Taliban judges, the Taliban leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, has emphasized on enforcing “hudud and qisas” according to Islamic sharia. According to the Taliban’s interpretation, “hudud and qisas” can include lashing, amputating, and stoning to death in front of public crowds.
