Local authorities in the Parwan province of northern Afghanistan reportedly said that 27 people—men and women—were publicly lashed on Thursday for crimes such as alleged adultery, theft, drug use, and other offenses.

Abdul Rahim Rashid, an official of the Supreme Court, told the Associated Press that 18 men and 9 women were sentenced to between 25 and 39 lashes for their crimes after being found guilty by three courts in each case.

He said that a certain number of those penalized in Charikar, the provincial capital of Parwan, also received two-year imprisonment.

The punishments highlight the determination of the new rulers of Afghanistan to cling to their version of Sharia law and to the hard-line measures they have undertaken since taking power in August 2021.

According to the court statement, provincial officials and local residents were present for the public whippings, during which officials stressed the value of adopting Sharia rule in society.

The public whippings on Thursday occurred a day after a man convicted of killing another was publicly executed, marking the first confirmed execution since the incumbent ruling body took control.

Earlier last week, 3 men were lashed in the public in Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan and were convicted of committing the crime of theft.
https://www.khaama.com/hard-line-policies-implemented-27-men-and-women-publicly-lashed-in-northern-afghanistan-46543/