Afghan supreme leader orders full enforcement of Islamic law

Afghanistan's supreme leader has ordered judges to fully enforce aspects of Islamic law that include public executions, stonings and floggings, and the amputation of limbs for thieves, the Taliban's chief spokesman said.

Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted late on Sunday that the "obligatory" command by Hibatullah Akhundzada came after the supreme leader met with a group of judges.

"Carefully examine the files of thieves, kidnappers and seditionists," Mujahid quoted Akhundzada as saying. "Those files in which all the sharia (Islamic law) conditions of hudud and qisas have been fulfilled, you are obliged to implement. "This is the ruling of sharia, and my command, which is obligatory."

Mujahid was not available on Monday to expand on his tweet.

Hudud refers to offences which, under Islamic law, certain types of punishment are mandated, while qisas translates as "retaliation in kind" — effectively an eye for an eye. Hudud crimes include adultery — and falsely accusing someone of it — drinking alcohol, theft, kidnapping and highway robbery, apostasy and rebellion.

Qisas covers murder and deliberate injury, among other things, but also allows for the families of victims to accept compensation in lieu of punishment.

Islamic scholars say crimes leading to hudud punishment require a very high degree of proof, including — in the case of adultery — confession, or being witnessed by four adult male Muslims.

Rahima Popalzai, a legal and political analyst, said the edict could be an attempt by the Taliban to harden a reputation they may feel has softened since they returned to power.

"If they really start to implement hudud and qisas, they will be aiming to create the fear society has gradually lost," she said.

— afp A poster in Pashto language at the Habibullah Zazai Park on the outskirts of Kabul reads: “Dear sisters! Hijab and veil are your dignity and are in your benefit in this world and in the hereafter.”