Afghanistan Ghor Girl Dies After 'Public Lashing'

A 26-year-old girl died following an alleged public lashing by armed groups in western Ghor province after being accused of running away from home.

Ghor is where the recent stoning to death of 19-year-old Rokhshana occurred.

Shirin Gul, who was from Herat province, had reportedly gone to Shahrak district of Ghor to visit her uncle's family, her immediate family said.

Footage of the incident, which has gone viral, shows a man lashing a girl with a whip in public.

According to her family and some locals, Gul died after she was meted out the lashing.

But local officials only confirmed the lashing but denied claims the girl died as a result of her injuries.

"When we contacted Shirin Gul's father, he confirmed his daughter died from the lashing," said Mohammad Hassan Hakimi, a social activist in Ghor.

Meanwhile, governor of Ghor Sima Joyenda said an investigation has been launched into the incident.

"Although the police chief of Shahrak district denies this, the victim's father says his daughter died of the lashing. Although it is not impossible, it should be investigated," she urged.

In addition, the interior ministry said investigations have been launched in this respect.

"This incident and the incident of Rokhshana should be seriously investigated," Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said. "Investigations are underway by the assigned fact-finding team."

This comes only three weeks after 19-year-old Rokhshana was stoned to death by the Taliban after having been accused of eloping with a man.

http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/22428-ghor-girl-dies-after-public-lashing