He was accused of murdering a man, stealing the deceased’s motorcycle and a cell phone. On Wednesday, this Afghan named Tajmir, son of Ghulam Sarwar, was publicly executed in Farah, in western Afghanistan. A first since the return to power of the Taliban. This public death sentence comes only a few weeks after the injunction of their supreme leader to apply Islamic law to its most brutal aspects.
“The Supreme Court was ordered to carry out this qisas order during a public gathering of residents” in the town of Farah, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, referring to the law of retaliation which appears in Islamic law.
Rigorous application of Sharia
On site, dozens of court officials as well as Taliban leaders witnessed the execution. The new leaders of the country assured that the case had been “examined in a very precise manner” by different courts (first instance, court of appeal, and supreme court), before their supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada endorsed the sentence.
In mid-November, Hibatullah Akhundzada had ordered judges to enforce all aspects of Islamic law, including public executions, stonings and floggings, and amputation of limbs for thieves.
“Carefully examine the files of thieves, kidnappers and seditious,” the Taliban spokesman said in a tweet, quoting Akhundzada. For “these files in which all the conditions of Sharia (…) have been met, you are obliged to apply” all the sanctions provided for, he continued.
The Taliban have so far carried out several public floggings since taking power in August 2021, but Wednesday’s execution is the first they have acknowledged.