Post by : Rameen Ariff

In a shocking display of retributive justice, the Taliban oversaw a public execution in eastern Afghanistan, where a 13-year-old boy was forced to shoot a man convicted of killing more than a dozen members of his family. The execution took place last week in a packed sports stadium in Khost province, drawing an estimated crowd of around 80,000 spectators, according to reports.

The convicted man, identified as Mangal, was found guilty along with two others for murdering 13 relatives of the teenage boy, including women and children. The Taliban-run Supreme Court of Afghanistan stated that the sentence was carried out under Qisas, a Sharia-based law of retributive justice comparable to the principle of “an eye for an eye.” Authorities said the victim’s family had the option to forgive Mangal, which would have spared his life, but they insisted on the death penalty.

The Supreme Court confirmed on social media that the execution took place in the sports stadium after the family refused clemency. While spectators were reportedly barred from bringing mobile phones into the stadium, videos recorded from outside showed tens of thousands of men gathered to witness the event.

This execution marks at least the 11th public punishment since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, reintroducing strict Sharia punishments. Crimes such as murder, adultery, and theft have resulted in executions, amputations, and public floggings under the group’s interpretation of Islamic law.

Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have also imposed harsh restrictions on women and girls, drawing widespread international criticism. Female students are barred from secondary schools and universities, and most professional opportunities for women have been closed off, further deepening the country’s human rights crisis.

The public execution in Khost has drawn global condemnation, with the United Nations describing the act as “inhuman and cruel” and highlighting the severe impact of Taliban rule on Afghan society.

#Global News