In a disturbing turn of events, the Taliban executed a man convicted of murder in a public setting at a sports stadium in Shibirghan, the capital of northern Jawzjan province. This marks the third death sentence carried out in the past five days, with thousands of spectators witnessing the grim event unfold.
The execution, which occurred amidst heavy snowfall, saw the brother of the murdered man shooting the convict five times with a rifle. Security was reportedly tight around the stadium during the execution.
Since seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has resorted to severe punishments in public, including executions, floggings, and stonings. This recent spate of public executions is reminiscent of the harsh practices employed during the Taliban's previous rule in the late 1990s.
Notably, the Taliban government officials were not available for immediate comment on the matter. The death sentence carried out on Monday was reportedly approved by three of the country's highest courts and the Taliban supreme leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada.
The executed man, identified as Nazar Mohammad from Faryab province, was convicted of killing Khal Mohammad from the same province. The incident took place in Jawzjan.
Earlier last week in Ghazni province, two men were executed by the Taliban for stabbing their victims to death. The relatives of the victims were allowed to fire guns at the convicts during the public execution.
Furthermore, reports indicate that a man and a woman in Balkh province were flogged with 35 lashes each for adultery, while two individuals in Laghman province received 30 lashes each for alleged immoral acts over the weekend.
The United Nations has strongly condemned the Taliban's actions, urging the rulers of Afghanistan to cease such brutal practices immediately.
