In a chilling display of their uncompromising justice system, Taliban authorities have publicly executed an Afghan man convicted of murdering a heavily pregnant woman, firing three gunshots into his body as hundreds watched the grim spectacle.
Brutal Retribution for Tragic Murder
The execution took place in a sports stadium in Afghanistan's Farah province, where officials gathered a large crowd to witness the state-sanctioned killing. The condemned man, identified as Syed Jamal, had been found guilty of stabbing a pregnant woman named Fariha to death in a previous violent attack.
According to Taliban officials, the execution was carried out using an assault rifle, with three separate shots fired into the convicted murderer. One of the shots was reportedly administered by a relative of the victim, following the Taliban's strict interpretation of Sharia law that permits retaliatory punishment.
Traditional Justice System Reinstated
Since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has systematically reinstated their traditional punitive justice measures, including public executions, floggings, and amputations. This latest execution marks another stark example of their commitment to what they describe as "Islamic justice."
An eyewitness described the harrowing scene to international media: "The man was brought into the stadium surrounded by armed Taliban fighters. They read out his crime and the sentence, then made him kneel before shooting him three times. The third shot was fired by the victim's relative as the crowd watched in silence."
International Condemnation
Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the Taliban's use of public executions and their harsh justice system. Amnesty International and the United Nations have documented numerous cases of what they describe as "cruel and inhuman punishment" since the Taliban returned to power.
A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch stated: "These public executions represent a return to the darkest days of Taliban rule. They violate international human rights laws and demonstrate a complete disregard for human dignity."
Victim's Family Involvement
The involvement of the victim's family member in the execution process follows the Taliban's interpretation of qisas, or retributive justice, within Islamic law. Under this system, victims' families are sometimes given the option to participate directly in punishment or to grant forgiveness in exchange for blood money.
In this case, the family chose retribution, with one relative carrying out the final shot that ended the convicted man's life. Taliban officials present at the execution declared that "justice has been served" for the murdered pregnant woman and her unborn child.
The public execution has sparked both support and horror within Afghanistan, highlighting the deep divisions in Afghan society regarding the Taliban's governance methods and their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
