18 March 2026 :

Taliban lashed 21 people in Kabul on March 15, 2026 on charges of drug-related offenses, according to a statement from the Taliban-run Supreme Court.
The court said the individuals were punished on charges including selling and smuggling narcotics such as heroin, opium, hashish and intoxicating tablets, as well as alcohol.
According to the statement, the defendants received between 10 and 39 lashes each and were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven months to four years and three months.
The statement said the punishments were carried out after the sentences were approved by the Taliban Supreme Court.
Public floggings have continued under Taliban rule despite criticism from international rights groups and the United Nations.
Since returning to power more than four years ago, Taliban have publicly flogged more than 1,500 people in different provinces across Afghanistan, according to available records.
In a recent report, the United Nations said Taliban flogged 316 people, including 30 women, one girl and four boys, over a three-month period on various charges.