Taliban publicly execute two individuals in Shendand after torture

In a shocking incident in Shendand, Herat province, Taliban soldiers publicly executed two individuals after subjecting them to torture and humiliation in front of a gathered crowd. Eyewitnesses reported that the victims, whose hands were bound, were shot dead following a brief address by a Taliban official. After the execution, their bodies were taken from the stadium by ambulance.

The identities of the executed individuals, as well as details about the charges against them, remain unknown, and no official statement has been released by the Taliban's Supreme Court regarding the case. The absence of information has led to widespread speculation and concern about the circumstances surrounding the killings.

This public execution is the latest in a series of brutal punishments carried out by the Taliban, who have previously conducted similar public executions in Ghazni, Laghman, and other provinces. These acts are part of the Taliban’s strict enforcement of their interpretation of Sharia law, which has seen a return of public executions and corporal punishments since they regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the Taliban for their use of public executions, arguing that such actions violate international human rights standards and due process. Despite the mounting criticism, the Taliban continue to use these punishments as a means of asserting control and instilling fear among the population.

As of now, the Supreme Court of the Taliban has made no formal comment on the Shendand execution, leaving many questions unanswered about the legal proceedings—or lack thereof—that led to the deaths. The incident underscores the growing concerns about the Taliban's use of extrajudicial punishments and the worsening human rights situation in Afghanistan.

The international community continues to call for accountability and the cessation of these brutal practices, which have become increasingly frequent under the Taliban's rule.