Taliban Publicly Flog 19 People in Balkh, Nimroz and Ghor Provinces

KABUL (Afghan Verified) — Taliban courts publicly flogged 19 people in Balkh, Nimroz and Ghor provinces on Thursday for charges including beating a father, illicit relations, theft, sodomy and moral corruption, according to Taliban judicial statements.

The punishments included 10 to 39 lashes, with some individuals also sentenced to prison terms ranging from five months to eight years, some of which were suspended.

Afghanistan International, citing a Taliban newsletter and primary court announcements, reported one man flogged 30 lashes in Shortepa district of Balkh province for male-male sexual relations, 17 people flogged in Nimroz province, and one woman flogged 10 lashes in Sagar district of Ghor province for moral corruption.

Amu TV, referencing Taliban Supreme Court press releases, said 18 men and one woman were flogged, with the punishments carried out in the presence of local officials.

Afghanistan International cited a Rawadari report documenting more than 850 floggings, one stoning and six retributions by the Taliban last year, as well as 611 targeted killings and woundings.

Amu TV's review of official Taliban announcements found 1,186 floggings in solar year 1404 across dozens of provinces, nearly 100 women publicly flogged in the last eight months, public qisas punishments in four provinces attended by thousands including children, and punishment for anti-Taliban advertising.