Voice of America News reports: “Afghanistan’s hard-line Taliban authorities publicly flogged 20 men and women Monday on charges of adultery, rape, and engaging in ‘illegitimate relations.’

The Taliban’s Supreme Court reported that all defendants received sentences of 39 lashes each and prison terms ranging from one to seven years.

The punishments were carried out in the eastern Khost and central Parwan provinces, with residents, judicial, and government officials among the spectators.

Since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have publicly flogged hundreds of men and women. Most were charged with offenses such as adultery, sodomy, eloping, having illegitimate relations and robbery.

The number of Afghans subjected to flogging this month alone has reached 86, with 17 women among the victims, according to data from the top court…”