The Taliban’s Supreme Court says 18 people were publicly flogged in Kabul and Paktia on Thursday.
According to the court, 15 individuals in Kabul received between 10 and 39 lashes after being convicted of selling illicit tablets, alcohol, and cannabis. They were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven months to four years.
The court added that three others were flogged in public the previous day in Jani Khel district of Paktia after being convicted of counterfeiting currency. Each received 20 lashes and was given a six-month prison sentence.
Since returning to power, the Taliban have repeatedly carried out public punishments of people accused of various offences, and have executed twelve individuals in front of large crowds.
International human rights organizations consider executions and corporal punishment to be violations of international law and human dignity and continue to call for their immediate halt.
