The Taliban’s Supreme Court confirmed that two individuals were publicly flogged in northern Balkh province, continuing the group’s controversial use of corporal punishment under its rule.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, January 10, the court said the two individuals were convicted of smuggling alcoholic beverages. Each received 39 lashes, administered publicly in the presence of Taliban officials, clerics, and local residents.
This incident highlights the ongoing use of public corporal punishment in Afghanistan, despite repeated objections from international organisations condemning torture and extrajudicial punishments. Taliban authorities defend such actions as the enforcement of their interpretation of “Islamic sharia”.
According to Taliban statements, six people were executed and 1,118 others flogged across Afghanistan in 2025 alone. Over the past four years, the group has also carried out at least 12 public executions, often in front of large crowds, raising growing concerns from human rights organisations.
Human rights experts note that the Taliban lacks a standardised judicial system, and defendants are routinely denied basic fair trial guarantees, including access to legal representation and due process. These practices continue to draw widespread criticism and highlight the systemic abuses under the Taliban regime.
The continuation of public floggings and executions underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention to protect human rights and enforce accountability in Afghanistan.
