The Taliban has reintroduced harsh public punishments in Afghanistan, including executions, as the regime tightens its grip on power. In a stark reminder of its historical practices, the Taliban has reported the stoning to death of dozens and executions through collapsing walls. This alarming trend reflects a significant escalation in the use of corporal punishment since the Taliban regained control in August 2021.
According to data from the Taliban’s Supreme Court, over 1,000 individuals faced public flogging in Afghanistan during 2025. Among those punished, at least 150 women were included, highlighting the regime’s oppressive enforcement of its interpretation of Islamic law. The statistics reveal an almost 100% increase in the number of floggings compared to previous years, with Kabul reporting the highest incidents.
The Taliban’s punitive measures have escalated beyond public beatings. They have reintroduced public executions, a practice that had become largely absent during the two decades of international military presence. In a recent case from Khost province, a man named Mangal was executed in front of approximately 80,000 spectators at a sports stadium. This event, described by the United Nations as “inhuman and cruel,” marked a disturbing return to the brutal practices of the past.
The execution involved a young boy, reportedly 13 years old, acting as the executioner. Mangal, along with two accomplices, was convicted of murdering 13 members of his victim’s family, including women and children. The Taliban’s Supreme Court stated, “Today a murderer was sentenced to retaliation punishment (Qisas) in the sport stadium in Khost province.” The court indicated that the victim’s family opted for Qisas, a form of retributive justice, rather than forgiveness.
Efforts to control the narrative surrounding this execution included a ban on mobile phones for spectators, aimed at preventing any video footage from being disseminated. This execution was the 11th carried out since the Taliban’s return to power, according to their own records, which show a reliance on capital punishment under their interpretation of Sharia law. Offences such as murder, adultery, and theft can result in severe penalties, including death, amputation, or public flogging.
In the past four years, the Taliban has issued at least 178 execution orders, with records detailing 37 death sentences by stoning and four executions executed by collapsing walls. The first public execution since the Taliban regained control occurred in December 2022, when the victim’s father carried out the punishment in front of a crowded stadium in Farah province.
As these developments unfold, the Taliban’s continued use of brutal punishments raises significant concerns about human rights in Afghanistan. The international community, including human rights organizations and the United Nations, remains critical of these actions, calling for accountability and adherence to global human rights standards.
