So what is going on here? These are pictures from the old Taliban regime and the public spectacle they used to have to torture and execute the victims of extreme religious beliefs. The story behind the pictures of the amputated hands are below.

On 24th April 1998

a women accused of adultery and a youth accused of robbery were punished in Kabul Sport Stadium. Taliban radio invited Kabul’s resident for the ’show’ but less than expected showed up. The number of spectators were not more than 5000, bulk of which were made up of Pakistani and Afghani Taliban. In order to make their “show more ceremonious” they had dragged along about 200 of their women folk. More than 20% of the spectators comprised of children and youth of under 14.

The heads of Taliban started with speeches, at around 2:30 PM, about the benefits of enforcing shariat (Islamic law) which nobody listened to. At around 3 PM the charges on Meena daughter of Meer Aqaa resident of Jabul Saraaj was read who was later flogged a 100 times. The accused was wrapped in an old chadarry and was escorted by two tall chadarry wearing guards to the center of the ground.

One of the Taliban executioner stood at the left side of the accused and throw 50 lashes on her back and then moved to her right side and throw another 50 lashes on her back. The women’s head, who appeared to have lost consciousness slid to the shoulder of the one of the guards. Finally she was thrown into a car and taken away.

The second accused was Zabi Ullah son of Noor Muhammad resident of Shakar Dara. On the crime of theft of medicine worth 35 million Afghani his hand had to be cut off. He was laid down on stadium ground. Four doctors who had covered their faces for not to be known started butchering him. A short while later his right hand was cut from the wrest and fell to the ground. A Talib who appeared to be intoxicated by the sight and smell of blood picked the cut hand by the small finger and while blood was dripping from it, he hold it to the spectators. He was holding the cut hand by his right hand and was cheerfully waving his left hand while shouting in Urdu “ye haat dheko” (look at this hand). The spectacle of Pakistani Talib lasted about 5 minutes. The youth whose hand has been severed was thrown into an ambulance and taken away. You could see the hatred, pain and rage in the eyes of the people.

Well, at least they did take the people to the hospital, or at least they said they did.