Five men executed in Afghanistan after gang rape of four women

Three suspects still at large after attack on women, one of whom was pregnant

Afghan authorities stand guard at Pul-e-Charkhi prison as authorities prepared to execute five rapists in Kabul earlier today. Photograph: Jawad Jalali/EPA
Afghan authorities stand guard at Pul-e-Charkhi prison as authorities prepared to execute five rapists in Kabul earlier today. Photograph: Jawad Jalali/EPA

Afghan authorities have executed five men convicted of armed robbery and gang rape in a case that galvanised the nation this summer.

The men were hanged in Puli Charkhi prison in Kabul, the capital's police chief general Mohammad Zahir Zahir said.

In August, eight men, some dressed in police uniforms, stopped an Afghan family’s car outside Kabul and sexually assaulted four of the women in the family, including one who was pregnant. Three of the suspects remain at large.

The five were convicted and sentenced to death last month. Former president Hamid Karzai approved and signed the execution order on his last day in office.