Man and woman stoned to death in Afghanistan for having "illegal relations"

A man and a woman have been stoned to death in Afghanistan's north-eastern Badakhshan province, two local Taliban officials confirmed on Wednesday.

A Taliban official in the province said that they were stoned in a sharia court for having "illegal relations."

Muslim men and women are not allowed to have sexual intercourse outside marriage under sharia law. It also states that if a married man has sex with a married woman and there are four witnesses, the couple should be stoned.

"They have confessed that they had illegal relations and they had done this two to three times," the local official said.

Muezuddin Ahmadi, who is in charge of the province's information and culture department, said that the issue was under investigation and promised serious action against the perpetrators of the stoning.

The Taliban are fighting for recognition on the international stage after having seized power in August, partly in a bid to access aid funds and money stashed abroad.

Despite assurances that they will respect human rights, many lower-ranking officers have meted out gruesome punishments in recent months.

Stoning took place publicly

Local newspaper Hasht-e Subh reported that the stoning took place publicly on Monday in the Nasi district of the province. It was reportedly ordered by a Taliban commander.

The rights situation across the country has deteriorated since the Taliban takeover.

Most female students are now blocked from attending secondary schools and most women have not been allowed to return to their jobs. Women must also wear a hijab and be accompanied by a close male relative when travelling long distances.

Men are encouraged to grow beards and wear traditional Afghan clothing while at government offices.

Music has been banned in the media.

Critics who protest against these restrictions face harrassment or imprisonment.