Afghanistan’s Khost province witnessed a grim spectacle Tuesday as the Taliban conducted a public execution before a crowd of approximately 80,000. The man, Abdul Rahman, was condemned for the murder of 13 family members. This public killing represents the latest in a series of capital punishments since the Taliban regained control in August 2021.
The judicial proceedings took a dramatic turn when the role of executioner was assigned to a 13-year-old boy, a surviving relative of the victims. Following the victim’s family’s refusal to grant clemency, the youth was empowered to administer the death penalty. Standing in the packed central sports stadium, the boy fired the shots that ended the convicted murderer’s life, fulfilling the principle of ‘Qisas’ under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law.
This incident highlights the Taliban’s stringent enforcement of Sharia law, a policy that has led to widespread international criticism, particularly concerning the severe limitations placed on women’s rights and education. The Supreme Court of Afghanistan confirmed that the condemned man’s sons were also convicted for their involvement in the same crime, but their sentences are on hold until all heirs are present to enact their right to retaliation.
Eyewitness accounts describe a massive gathering, including high-ranking Taliban figures and the victims’ relatives. Doctors completed the necessary medical assessments on the accused before the 13-year-old complainant enacted the sentence. Support for the execution was voiced by some Khost residents, who felt the severity of the crime demanded such a drastic retribution.