Hibatullah Akhundzada is the supreme leader of Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN CARRY OUT PUBLIC FLOGGINGS OF WOMEN AND MEN IN GHOR AND PARWAN

February 19, 2026:

Based on an official statement, the Taliban’s Supreme Court carried out public floggings of two women and two men on February 18, 2026, in the Ghor and Parwan provinces. 
Reports indicate that a man and a woman in Ghor province were publicly flogged for the alleged crime of "adultery," with each receiving 39 lashes.
In a related incident that same week, five people—including two women—were subjected to public flogging in the Balkh and Parwan provinces for offenses including "illicit relations," producing/selling alcohol, and facilitating prostitution.
Those involved in the Parwan/Balkh incidents were sentenced to 39 lashes each, along with prison terms ranging from one to two years.
These floggings are part of a surge in the use of corporal punishment by the Taliban in 2026, with reports indicating over 50 people were publicly flogged in the two weeks leading up to February 18, 2026.
These actions follow the introduction of a new, strict penal code approved by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada in January 2026.