The Taliban publicly whipped 12 people in the sports stadium of Pul-e-Alam, the provincial capital, on Wednesday, November 23, sources tell Zan Times.
In addition, the detainees were were taken into custody by the Taliban after their public flogging, an eyewitness tells Zan Times. “The arrested persons are boys and girls who, according to the verdict of the Taliban court, must spend 2 to 6 months in prison,” says the source, who asked not to be named.
According to this eyewitness, the Taliban whipped nine men and three women, each between 29 to 39 times for having sex or for stealing. This source also adds that the Taliban forbade anyone from taking pictures or video of the floggings.
In the last two weeks alone, the Taliban have whipped 18 men and women in Takhar province and a young couple in Bamyan province. There are signs that the Taliban wants to expand its use of brutality as punishment. 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.
