The Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced that six individuals including four men and two women were publicly flogged in the Hesa Awal Kohistan district of Kapisa province.

They are punished on charges of same-sex relations between men, fleeing from home, and extramarital sex.

According to a statement issued on Friday, 16 May, the individuals were sentenced to lashes and prison terms ranging from six months to one year. The punishments were carried out in public, in the presence of local officials, court staff, attendees, and residents, after being approved by the Taliban’s Supreme Court.

Over the past 10 days, the Taliban has publicly flogged at least 55 people across Afghanistan for various alleged offences, continuing its enforcement of strict interpretations of Islamic law.

The group refers to public flogging as the implementation of “Islamic Sharia.” However, international human rights organisations have repeatedly condemned such punishments as forms of torture and violations of international law.

Just a day prior, Taliban-controlled courts also carried out public floggings of 12 individuals in the provinces of Bamiyan, Ghazni, and Parwan.

Despite widespread international criticism, the Taliban continues to impose corporal punishment and public executions as part of its judicial system, drawing concern from global rights advocates and foreign governments.