Taliban Publicly Flog Eight People in Zabul and Sar-e Pol Provinces

The Taliban publicly flogged eight people in the Shah Joy district of Zabul province and the Kuhistanat district of Sar-e Pol province on 16 Hamal, according to the group's Supreme Court newsletter.

Two individuals in Shah Joy were convicted of extramarital relations and theft. Each received between 30 and 39 lashes, along with prison sentences.

In Kuhistanat, six people, including one woman, were sentenced for similar charges. They each received 29 to 35 lashes and two to three years of suspended prison terms.

The Supreme Court newsletter detailed the convictions and punishments, which were carried out publicly.

In a related report, the Rawadari human rights organization documented the Taliban's use of punishments last calendar year. It stated that the Taliban issued death sentences by qisas for six people and stoning for one woman. Additionally, 857 people were flogged.

Rawadari also reported that during the same period, 611 people -- including 48 women and 35 children -- were mysteriously killed or wounded by the Taliban and unidentified individuals. Most victims were former government employees, protesters, activists and others.