03 November 2015

Afghan woman was stoned to death after 'attempting to flee a forced marriage'

The Taliban has stoned a young Afghan woman to death for attempting to flee a forced marriage and elope with another man, according to Afghan officials.

The 19-year-old, identified only as Rokhshana, was arrested, tried and executed in an area “under Taliban control” confirmed Ghor’s governor, Seema Jowenda, to The Telegraph.

A graphic video purporting to show the execution has been released, but has not been verified. The killing took place about a week ago.

The footage shows a woman, buried up to her neck in a dirt pit, surrounded by a large group of men, who according to local sources, include Taliban and local elders sympathetic to the militant group.

Several men methodically hurl stones, one-by-one, at the defenceless woman. Other men impassively watch as she wails in pain before the video cuts out. [The Telegraph] Read more