Afghanistan: first official public execution since the return of the Taliban

Taliban flag seller in Kabul (illustrative image).

Since their return to power, the Taliban, who had promised to be more flexible, on the contrary apply Islamic law very rigorously.

AP - Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

In Afghanistan the Taliban carried out a public execution yesterday, Wednesday 7 December.

This is the first public execution since their return to power more than a year ago.

It took place in the west of the country in Farah.

The man had been convicted of murder.

Advertising

Read more

With our regional correspondent,

Sonia Ghezali

Tajmir was executed by the victim's father who, armed with a Kalashnikov, shot him three times.

The execution took place in front of an audience made up of residents of Farah province.

The man killed had been found guilty of the murder of a man perpetrated in 2017. " 

The case has been examined in a very precise manner 

," said the Taliban spokesman, assuring that different courts had examined it from thorough way.

Several members of civil society as well as human rights organizations and activists reacted strongly after the announcement.

Rigorous application of Islamist law

Since their return to power, the Taliban, who had promised to be more flexible, on the contrary apply Islamic law very rigorously.

Since seizing power, they have carried out several public floggings.

A month ago, the Taliban's supreme leader set the tone by ordering judges to apply Islamic Sharia law to the letter, including public executions, stonings, floggings and amputation of limbs for thieves. 

The deep concern of the United Nations

"

We are of course deeply concerned by the public execution that took place today in Afghanistan

," said Stéphanie Tremblay, spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Our position is always the same, our position has never changed: the United Nations is opposed to the death penalty;

this punishment cannot coexist with the right to life.

We therefore call for a return to the moratorium on capital punishment in the country 

”.

►Also read

: Afghanistan: Sharia will now be applied, announce the Taliban

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

  • Afghanistan

  • Human rights

  • UN

  • Justice

  • Antonio Guterres

  • Taliban