Afghan couple stoned to death on adultery charges

A couple accused of adultery was stoned to death by armed militants in northern Afghanistan, an official said on Sunday.
"A couple was found guilty of adultery charges during a Taliban court hearing in Qalai Sorkh area of Sozma Qala district," said Hamid Elmi, head of media relations department in the governor's office in northern province of Sar-i-Pol.
Sozma Qala is a volatile district of the Taliban-controlled province, he said, adding that "the government could not do anything to alter the situation."
A representative from the Taliban movement was not immediately available for comment.
Taliban extremists practise public executions as part of their legal system in the districts where they have wrested control from the central government.
Two weeks ago, a young boy and girl were publicly punished for adultery charges in central province of Ghor.

The couple received 100 lashes each by order of a local court after they were found guilty of having illegal contact with one another.