In a stark reminder of the Taliban's harsh judicial regime, a convicted murderer was publicly executed at a stadium in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, according to witnesses who spoke to AFP. The act has been sharply condemned by United Nations human rights officials as "inhumane".
The Execution and the Court's Justification
The Supreme Court of Afghanistan identified the executed man as Mangal. The court described the killing as a "retaliatory punishment" handed down after what it called an extensive review of the case. Officials stated that the families of the victims were offered the chance to grant amnesty and seek peace but they refused.
Observers at the scene reported that a family member of one of the victims carried out the execution with three gunshots. Thousands of people were present, having been encouraged to attend by official notices. The case stemmed from a violent incident in January 2025, where Mangal was among several individuals who attacked a residence, resulting in ten fatalities, including three women.
Local Reaction and International Outcry
Some local residents, like Mujib Rahman Rahmani, suggested the public spectacle could serve as a deterrent. "No one will dare to kill anyone in the future," he said. However, the international response was one of uniform condemnation.
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, condemned the execution on Tuesday. He labeled it an "inhumane, cruel, and an unusual punishment, contrary to international law" and urged that such actions "must stop." Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have consistently criticized Afghanistan's use of physical and capital punishment. Amnesty's April annual report noted that death sentences in the country were imposed through proceedings that "did not meet international fair trial standards."
A Return to Past Practices
Public executions were a common feature during the Taliban's previous rule from 1996 to 2001, often conducted in sports stadiums. This latest execution marks the 12th public instance since the Taliban regained power in August 2021. The previous case, recorded as the 11th, occurred in October in Badghis province, also witnessed by thousands, including Taliban officials.
Earlier in April of this year, authorities executed four individuals across three provinces simultaneously. The Taliban continue to implement severe physical punishments, including flogging, for offences such as theft, adultery, and alcohol consumption. All executions are authorized by the Taliban's supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, who is based in Kandahar.
This event underscores the vast gulf between the Taliban's interpretation of justice and international human rights norms, drawing renewed global scrutiny to the group's governance.
