The Taliban’s judiciary has announced that two women and two men were publicly flogged in Mohammad Agha district of Logar province after being convicted of “illicit relationships” by a local court.

According to a statement issued by the Taliban Supreme Court on Wednesday, 14 May, the individuals received between 20 and 39 lashes each in a public setting. The punishment was carried out in the presence of local officials, court personnel, residents, and both civilian and military representatives.

Rohullah Ghalib, head of the Taliban’s primary court in Mohammad Agha, stated: “We implement divine rulings under all circumstances.” He emphasised that the Taliban would not retreat from what it views as its “religious responsibilities.”

The group regards corporal punishment, including flogging, as the enforcement of “Islamic Sharia” and has continued such practices despite widespread international condemnation.

Human rights organisations and foreign governments have repeatedly denounced the Taliban’s use of corporal punishment, describing it as a form of torture and a violation of international human rights norms.

Just a day earlier, a man in Badakhshan province was also publicly flogged after being accused of engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage.

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban has resumed public punishments, including floggings and executions, which were also a hallmark of its previous regime in the 1990s.