Taliban Resumes Public Whippings

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan's eastern Parwan province have punished 27 people with public lashings, reports the Khaama Press (Kabul).

Eighteen men and nine women were sentenced to 25 to 39 lashes after being found guilty by three courts on charges of alleged adultery, theft and drug use, said Taliban supreme court officials.

Some of the suspects also received two-year prison sentences, the officials said.

The lashings demonstrate the Taliban’s determination to implement their severe interpretation of sharia law, analysts said.

Provincial officials and residents witnessed the public whippings, according to a court statement.

Separately, three men were publicly whipped last week in the Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan.