On April 11, 2025, Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities carried out the public execution of four men across three provinces, marking the highest number of such executions in a single day since their return to power in 2021.
Details of the Executions:
• Badghis Province: Two men were executed in Qala-i-Naw, the provincial capital. Witnesses reported that the men were seated with their backs to the crowd and were shot multiple times by male relatives of their victims.
• Nimroz Province: A third man was executed in Zaranj, the provincial capital.
• Farah Province: The fourth execution took place in Farah city.
According to Afghanistan’s Supreme Court, these executions were carried out as “retaliatory punishments” for murder, following thorough judicial reviews. The families of the victims were given the option to grant amnesty but chose to proceed with the executions.
International Response:
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned these public executions, labeling them as violations of human dignity and calling for an immediate halt to such practices.
Public executions were a common occurrence during the Taliban’s previous rule from 1996 to 2001 and have resumed since their return to power. All execution orders are reportedly signed by the Taliban’s Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.