Taliban publicly punish eight in Kunar as part of enforcement of Islamic law

The Taliban publicly punished eight individuals in Kunar province on Saturday, October 12, in the latest instance of the group's strict enforcement of their interpretation of Islamic law. According to local authorities, the individuals were beaten with 20 lashes each and sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to three years for various offenses.

This marks the first large-scale public punishment in Kunar since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. Similar incidents have occurred recently in Kandahar and Takhar provinces, where nine people were publicly punished.

The reintroduction of such penalties has drawn international criticism, with human rights organizations and global bodies expressing concern over potential violations of human rights. Despite the growing outcry, the Taliban have so far shown little willingness to respond to these concerns, continuing their enforcement of traditional Islamic practices across the country.