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Kabul Court cancels death sentences in Farkhunda’s case

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Last Updated on: October 25, 2022

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Kabul’s appeals court has canceled the death sentences given to four men for their part in the mob killing of Farkhunda outside a Shahe Do Shamshira shrine in Kabul.

Three of the men convicted for their part in beating woman to death in Kabul are instead given 20-year sentences, with a fourth jailed for 10 years.

The 27-year-old Farkhunda, who was a student of religious studies, was brutally murdered two days before the Afghan New Year, by an angry mob in front of one of Kabul’s most venerated shrines when a mullah cried out that she had burnt the holy Quran.

She was beaten with sticks, pelted with rocks and ran over with a car, after which her body dumped was on the banks of the muddy and polluted Kabul River and set alight. She had been attacked after being accused of burning a copy of the Quran at the Shah-e Du Shamshira shrine.

During the attack, which lasted for about half an hour, the police did attempt, at some points, to save Farkhunda, but at other instances they can be seen standing idly as the attackers continue to beat her.

There was an angry reaction from Farkhunda’s family and civil society groups against Kabul judges.

“The judges of Farkhunda’s case should themselves be questioned by the executive officer and President Ghani,” Farkhunda’s mother said.

Lawmakers and activists also criticized the decision, saying the court had bowed to the conservative religious establishment and failed to uphold the rule of law.

“This is against the constitution. The courts should be open to the public, and this closed-door hearing undermines the credibility of the sentences,” said Shukria Barakzai, a lawmaker and women’s rights advocate.

Around 3,000 people marched through the streets of Kabul after Farkhunda’s murder, according to protest organisers, who called it one of the biggest demonstrations in Kabul’s history.

At the murder trial, the four men were found guilty and sentenced to death. Charges against 18 men were dropped for lack of evidence, and eight others were sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Of 19 policemen charged with dereliction of duty, eight were acquitted due to lack of evidence, and 11 were sentenced to one year in prison. Last month, the Appeals Court upheld a decision to release 37 defendants ahead of their appeals.

Farkhunda’s funeral was attended by dozens of women’s rights activists, several of whom also helped carry her coffin, demanding justice for the young teacher.

 

 

 

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Afghan citizens reported among casualties in US, Israeli attacks, Iran says

As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.

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Iran’s Embassy in Kabul, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, has stated that a number of Afghan citizens were killed or injured during what Tehran described as a 35-day military campaign carried out by the United States and Israel.

According to the statement, the Afghan nationals were living in Iran at the time of the attacks. Baghaei referred to them as “honored guests” of the country, adding that some lost their lives while others sustained injuries during the reported strikes.

He did not provide specific figures regarding the number of Afghan casualties or further details about the incidents.

As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.

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Save the Children: Nearly one Afghan child killed or injured daily by explosive remnants

Despite the efforts of aid organizations and demining groups, the scale of the contamination remains overwhelming.

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Save the Children has issued a stark warning, revealing that nearly one Afghan child is killed or injured every day by explosive remnants of war (ERW). In its latest report, the global humanitarian organization emphasized the ongoing and deadly impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance scattered across the country, a legacy of decades of conflict.

From January 2025 to January 2026, 338 Afghan children were killed, injured, or permanently disabled by explosive remnants. Shockingly, children represented nearly 70 percent of all casualties from such explosions during this period. Save the Children’s report underscores that Afghanistan continues to have the highest number of child casualties due to explosive remnants worldwide.

The report highlights that vast swathes of Afghanistan remain contaminated with hazardous materials, with more than 2.7 million people – including many children – living within one kilometer of these dangerous zones. These hazardous areas, often located in fields, pastures, and farmlands, remain uncleared despite ongoing demining efforts. Afghanistan is now considered one of the most contaminated countries globally, with nearly 5,000 hazardous sites still awaiting clearance.

The danger is particularly acute for rural and nomadic communities, including the Kuchi, who traverse long distances in search of water and grazing lands. These communities face severe challenges in accessing healthcare, education, and protection services, further compounding the risks posed by unexploded devices.

To address the growing threat, Save the Children has launched mobile awareness programs aimed at teaching children, particularly in remote and underserved regions, how to identify and avoid explosive hazards. These programs are crucial in helping to reduce the number of child casualties, as children are often unaware of the dangers in their environment.

Despite the efforts of aid organizations and demining groups, the scale of the contamination remains overwhelming. Funding shortages continue to hamper the progress of clearance operations, leaving families and children exposed to the deadly remnants of past conflicts.

“Explosive remnants of war are not just a legacy of Afghanistan’s past; they are an ongoing humanitarian emergency that continues to claim innocent lives,” said Save the Children. “The international community must step up its support to ensure the safety of Afghan children and accelerate efforts to clear these life-threatening hazards.”

As the country struggles to recover from years of conflict, the need for comprehensive and sustained demining operations, alongside better access to education and healthcare for at-risk communities, has never been more urgent.

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Eight dead after 5.8-magnitude earthquake hits Afghanistan

The family members who perished included a father, mother, four daughters, and two sons. In addition to the deaths, a child was reported injured in the incident.

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A powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Friday, killing at least eight people and injuring a child when a house collapsed in Kabul. According to local officials, the victims were all members of the same family.

Hafiz Basharat, spokesperson for the Kabul Governor, confirmed that the fatalities occurred in the Bagrami district of Kabul. The family members who perished included a father, mother, four daughters, and two sons. In addition to the deaths, a child was reported injured in the incident.

The earthquake, which originated in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, struck at a depth of approximately 177 kilometers, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. Tremors were felt across a wide area, including Kabul, Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, and India’s capital New Delhi.

Local authorities have yet to release additional details regarding the extent of the damage or any further casualties caused by the earthquake.

As rescue operations continue, Afghan authorities are assessing the full impact of the earthquake, which has left many concerned about the potential for more aftershocks in the region.

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