An Afghan man convicted of murder was publicly executed on Wednesday, the Taliban announced, a first since the Islamists returned to power in August 2021.
“The Supreme Court has been ordered to carry out this qisas order during a public gathering of residents,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, referring to the law of retribution enshrined in Islamic law.
Last month, Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered judges to enforce all aspects of Islamic law, including public executions, stoning and flogging, and limb amputations for thieves.
The Taliban have carried out several public floggings since taking power, but Wednesday’s execution in Farah (west), capital of the province of the same name, is the first they admit.
The statement names the condemned man as Tajmir, son of Ghulam Sarwar, and says he also resides in Anjil district of Herat province to the west.