This week MEMRI is launching its South Asia Studies Project. Be sure to visit the South Asia Studies Project daily at http://www.memri.org/sasp.
The UAE-owned Alaan TV recently broadcast footage showing the stoning of a woman. The anchor stressed in the report that the footage was exclusive, filmed by a member of Taliban-Pakistan with his cell-phone and smuggled out of the Orakzai region of Pakistan. The woman's crime: she was accused of being seen with a man.
This was followed by exclusive footage, also from Orakzai, of the summary execution of a man and woman by gunshot. The anchor said: "We do not know why this killing took place, but it is clear that the two victims did not stand any trial, and the decision to shoot them was taken on the spur of the moment."
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/2627.htm.
The Stoning of a Woman
Presenter: "Alaan TV has obtained exclusive footage, filmed by means of a cell-phone, which shows a woman being stoned to death. The footage is of very poor quality, but it is important because it shows, for the first time, a woman being stoned. According to our sources, the stoning was carried out by Taliban-Pakistan, in the tribal area under its control, near the Afghan border."
Reporter: "The story begins with the gathering of men. Some of them are wearing turbans, and some are carrying weapons. They all belong to Taliban-Pakistan in the Orakzai region, which is close to the border with Afghanistan. These are Taliban members who are getting ready to stone a woman, who is sitting motionless on the ground. You can see her in the center of the picture. She was accused by Taliban-Pakistan of being seen with a man.
"The footage was filmed by a member of Taliban-Pakistan who was on the scene, using his cell-phone. This is the reason that the images are not clear. Alaan TV has used its sources to smuggle the footage out of Orakzai. This footage is unique, because Taliban-Pakistan tries to conceal such images. They know that images of the stoning of a woman should not be made public, because they might cause a rift between the movement and its supporters. As far as we know, this is the first time anyone has obtained footage of a woman being stoned by Taliban-Pakistan.
"The stoning begins. After the woman is struck by one stone, two stones, and many more, her body begins to shudder. The men continue to pelt stones at her, and soon, her body becomes motionless. [...]"
The Execution of a Couple
Presenter: "Alaan TV has obtained another exclusive video from Orakzai, which is under the control of Taliban-Pakistan. The picture is clearer than in the stoning video. This cell-phone footage can be described as a summary execution. We have removed some of the images because of the graphic nature."
Reporter: "At first, one might think this is a normal case of a few men and a woman arguing. But all of a sudden, shouting is heard. From the translation it transpires that the men are shouting: 'Out of the way, kill her, off with her head.' They are handcuffing a man, and the woman seems to be arguing with them. Then she moves away, and gunshots are heard. The woman falls to the ground. The video clearly shows that she was shot in the back. It is also clear the handcuffed man has been shot as well. One of the men shouts: 'The man is still alive,' and another man showers the victim with bullets. Another man finishes the woman off, after apparently seeing her move.
"We do not know why this killing took place, but it is clear that the two victims did not stand any trial, and the decision to shoot them was taken on the spur of the moment. This crime took place in the Orakzai region, where Taliban-Pakistan has established their so-called Emirate."
