A man and a woman have been stoned to death for having an affair deemed illegal under Sharia rule in Afghanistan.

A Taliban official in the north-eastern Badakhshan province told dpa that they were stoned at a sharia court for having illegal relations.

Muslim men and women were 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 were 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.

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

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 were 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 were encouraged to grow beards and wear traditional Afghan clothing while in government offices. Music has been banned in the media.

Critics who protest against these restrictions face harassment or imprisonment. 

(dpa/NAN)