Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled Supreme Court said on Tuesday that a man convicted in a case involving the killing of 13 members of a family was publicly executed in Khost.

In its statement, the Supreme Court said the so-called retaliation punishment was carried out on a man identified as Mangal, who was convicted of intentionally killing another Afghan using a Kalashnikov rifle.

The victim’s family declined an offer of forgiveness, the court said. The motive for the killing was not provided.

Mustaghfir Gurbaz, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said the man executed had been involved in an incident 10 months ago in which 13 people, including women and children, were killed.

The official said two other convicted men have also received retaliation punishment sentences, but their executions were postponed because the victims’ families are currently outside the country.

The sentence was issued under the Islamic legal principle of “qisas,” which allows for retaliation in kind when requested by a victim’s family.

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have reinstated corporal punishment, including public executions and floggings, for offences such as murder, robbery and adultery.

The execution marks the 11th public execution carried out under Taliban rule.

The United Nations has criticized the Taliban’s use of corporal punishment, saying it violates the UN Convention against Torture and has called for an end to the practice.

The execution took place in a stadium in the presence of Taliban officials and local residents, according to the court.

The Taliban government has defended this form of punishment, saying it is in line with the country’s law and necessary to ensure security and safety for the public. (dpa/NAN)