Afghan couple whipped for adultery

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GURGIN, Afghanistan, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Taliban officials in Afghanistan said they whipped a woman 40 times and a man 27 times before exiling them both for allegedly having sexual relations.

Provincial high peace council member Nasrullah told Pajhwok Afghan News the whipping took place Friday in Gurgin village of Charsada district.

The woman, whose name was not reported, is the sister-in-law of ex-Taliban Gov. Mullah Ahmad Shah, RAWA News reported. She was exiled from Ghor province for three years for her alleged crime. The man, whose name was also not reported, was exiled for six years.

The reason for the different punishments was not reported.

Afghanistan Human Rights Commission Director for Ghor Jawad Rezaee said the two should have been tried using evidence based on the country's law.

"No one has the right to order punishment when there is no one to defend the accused. The punishment amounts to depriving the couple of their right to defend themselves," he said.