Taliban Publicly Flog 19 People in Balkh, Nimroz and Ghor Provinces
KABUL (Afghan Verified) — Taliban courts publicly flogged 19 people in Balkh, Nimroz and Ghor provinces on Thursday for charges including beating a father, illicit relations, theft, sodomy and moral corruption, according to Taliban judicial statements.
The punishments included 10 to 39 lashes, with some individuals also sentenced to prison terms ranging from five months to eight years, some of which were suspended.
Afghanistan International, citing a Taliban newsletter and primary court announcements, reported one man flogged 30 lashes in Shortepa district of Balkh province for male-male sexual relations, 17 people flogged in Nimroz province, and one woman flogged 10 lashes in Sagar district of Ghor province for moral corruption.
Amu TV, referencing Taliban Supreme Court press releases, said 18 men and one woman were flogged, with the punishments carried out in the presence of local officials.
Afghanistan International cited a Rawadari report documenting more than 850 floggings, one stoning and six retributions by the Taliban last year, as well as 611 targeted killings and woundings.
Amu TV's review of official Taliban announcements found 1,186 floggings in solar year 1404 across dozens of provinces, nearly 100 women publicly flogged in the last eight months, public qisas punishments in four provinces attended by thousands including children, and punishment for anti-Taliban advertising.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Where reports agree
- Taliban publicly flogged 19 people in Balkh, Nimroz, and Ghor provinces
- Charges included beating father, illicit relations, theft, sodomy/male-male relations, moral corruption
- Lashings ranged from 10 to 39 lashes
- Prison sentences from 5 months to 8 years
- Events reported from Taliban official statements/press releases
Where reports differ
- Exact breakdown by province: Afghanistan International specifies 1 in Balkh, 17 in Nimroz, 1 in Ghor; Amu TV gives total 18 men and 1 woman without per-province split
- Specific districts: Shortepa (Balkh) and Sagar (Ghor) only in Afghanistan International
- Attribution: Afghanistan International cites Taliban newsletter and primary courts; Amu TV cites Supreme Court press releases
More in Society
UN Special Rapporteur Calls for Increased Funding for Demining in Afghanistan
Heavy Rains Cause Flood Damage to Hundreds of Homes in Kandahar, Helmand
Flash Floods Kill 48, Injure 73 Across 20 Afghan Provinces
Herat Residents Complain of Strict Behavior by Taliban Muhtasibs
ReliableUN Special Rapporteur Calls for Increased Funding for Demining in Afghanistan
Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, urged increased and sustainable funding for demining ahead of the International Day for Mine Awareness on April 4, highlighting Afghanistan's severe contamination and child casualties. He cited 2025 figures of 471 civilian incidents, mostly affecting children, and warned of setbacks from budget cuts.
ReliableHeavy Rains Cause Flood Damage to Hundreds of Homes in Kandahar, Helmand
Heavy rains and floods damaged hundreds of homes and affected over 550 families in Kandahar province, while more than 300 houses were destroyed in Helmand's Garmser district, with no casualties reported in either area. Provincial disaster management and security officials provided evacuation and assistance.
ReliableFlash Floods Kill 48, Injure 73 Across 20 Afghan Provinces
At least 48 people have been killed and 73 injured in flash floods across 20 Afghan provinces since March 26, according to Taliban-run disaster management authorities. More than 2,700 families have been affected overall.
DevelopingHerat Residents Complain of Strict Behavior by Taliban Muhtasibs
Residents of Herat province, especially women and girls, complain of strict, insulting and harassing behavior by Taliban muhtasibs from Amr bil Ma'ruf and Nahi anil Munkar. Activists describe the actions as human rights violations and urge international oversight.