The Taliban’s Supreme Court, in separate statements, announced the public execution of four individuals accused of murder in the provinces of Badghis, Nimroz, and Farah. This marks the first time that multiple executions have been carried out simultaneously in different regions of Afghanistan on the same day.
In a statement published today (Friday, April 11), the court wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that two men were executed by gunfire in Qala-e-Naw, the capital of Badghis province.
According to reports from AFP citing eyewitnesses, the execution was carried out by relatives of the victims, and each convict was shot six to seven times.
The court also confirmed in another post on X that a third person sentenced to death was executed in Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province. However, no details about the method of execution were released.
The Taliban’s Supreme Court further reported the execution of a fourth individual in Farah province, but did not provide additional information on how the execution was carried out.
The court claimed that the cases of these individuals were finalized after “very thorough and repeated investigations” and that the death sentences were approved by the Taliban leader.
According to the statements, the families of the victims were asked to forgive the convicts before the execution, but reportedly declined the request.
Local Taliban officials in Badghis, Farah, and Nimroz had previously announced the executions and called on the public and government employees under their control to gather and witness the punishments.
These executions have sparked reactions from various individuals and international organizations.
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, expressed regret over the public executions and stated that such actions, along with other corporal punishments carried out publicly by the Taliban, constitute clear violations of international law.
UNAMA also issued a statement calling for an immediate halt to capital punishment, describing it as contrary to the “fundamental right to life.”
Amnesty International condemned the executions, calling them a “gross insult” to human dignity and a violation of international laws and standards.
The organization accused the Taliban of blatantly disregarding human rights principles and stated that the group continues to violate human rights with total disregard for international law.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have reinstated harsh punishments in Afghanistan, including public executions and floggings.
The group has dismissed international criticism and human rights concerns as interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
