The Taliban carried out a shocking public execution of a convicted murderer by gunfire at a sports stadium in eastern Afghanistan, marking the sixth public execution carried out in the country after the Taliban seized power after the departure of US and NATO forces in 2021.
Taliban executed a convicted murderer publicly in Afghanistan’s Paktia province, marking their sixth such execution since reclaiming power in 2021. Thousands, including top Taliban officials, witnessed the man shot by victim's family in Gardez Stadium. UN and rights groups… pic.twitter.com/dNabpGhLNU
— Afghanistan Times (@AfghanistanTime) November 13, 2024
The execution took place early in the morning of November 13th at a sports stadium in Gardez, the capital of the Paktia province, the Taliban Supreme Court announced on X (formerly known as Twitter). The convict, identified as Mohammad Ayaz Asad, reportedly shot a member of the Taliban security forces.
The Paktia provincial government said the public, as well as senior civilian, judicial, and military officials, including Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, were among those who witnessed the execution. Authorities barred onlookers from bringing cameras or mobile devices.
The top Taliban court did not provide specific details regarding the implementation of the death penalty, but witnesses reported that gunfire was used. Videos uploaded on social media showed crowds heading to the stadium to witness the execution.
Justice is the most beautiful thing God created
— هشام شفتر (@HshamM61638) November 14, 2024
“The case was meticulously examined and scrutinized by the three-stage military court of the Islamic Emirate in multiple iterations before the order of retaliation (Qisas) was issued and approved,” a statement from the Taliban said, using the official title of the Taliban government, which no country officially recognizes.
It was the sixth execution of a murder convict in Afghanistan since the Taliban regained power in August 2021 and implemented a criminal justice system based on their harsh and strict interpretation of Sharia law. Previously, executions were carried out by gunshot.
Taliban authorities have continued to carry out corporal punishments and executions despite the United Nations strongly condemning the practice as “inconsistent with the fundamental right to life” and "a form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.”
That's good. I like Shari'a because of its justice and fairness.
— Faisal Mohammed (@M_faiisal_1) November 13, 2024
“I condemn today’s horrific public execution in a sports stadium in Gardez #Afghanistan, as well as other corporal punishments & executions carried out by the Taliban,” Richard Bennett, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, posted on X on November 13th.
“I call on the Taliban to immediately halt these atrocious punishments, which are clear violations of human rights,” Bennett added.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan also criticized the execution, arguing that such actions are “contrary to Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations and must cease.”
Its a good thing we dont compare that rate of killing to Israels killing and torture of innocents. That would be embarrassing.
— Aoife Ryan (@AoifeRy92532703) November 13, 2024
The Taliban have also flogged hundreds of men and women in packed sports stadiums across Afghanistan for committing “immoral crimes," such as adultery, theft, homosexuality, alcohol consumption, and robbery.
According to data from the Taliban Supreme Court, nearly 100 Afghans, including women, were lashed in front of onlookers and received jail terms ranging from six months to two years for such offenses last October alone. Three public executions also took place in Afghanistan last February in just one week, including two in Ghazni and one in Jowzjan province.
