Taliban Executes Man Publicly for Killing 13 Family Members in Afghanistan

Kabul: In Afghanistan, the Taliban publicly executed a man convicted of murdering 13 members of a single family. The execution took place at a stadium in Khost, where approximately 80,000 people gathered to witness the punishment.

Reports indicate that a 13-year-old family member of one of the victims was the one who shot the convicted man. Earlier, the Afghanistan Supreme Court had declared the man guilty, and the execution was approved by the Taliban’s top leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

This is the 11th execution in the country since the Taliban regained power in 2021, and it signals the return of Sharia-based laws in Afghanistan. The Taliban are also enforcing other controversial regulations, including restrictions on the education of women and girls.

According to an official statement from the Afghanistan Supreme Court, the individual executed was identified as Mangol.

Two other co-accused in the case, reportedly his sons, had their death sentences temporarily postponed. The court stated that the executions were delayed until certain family members currently abroad could be present.

Prior to the execution, Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, had urged the Taliban to halt the public execution. He condemned such acts as inhumane and brutal, violating international law, human rights, and dignity. He further emphasized that public executions are not compatible with Islamic law.