Taliban Publicly Executes Man Convicted of Double Murder in Badghis Province: 11th Such Incident Since 2021
In a stark enforcement of their strict interpretation of Sharia law, Taliban authorities carried out a public execution of a man convicted of murdering two people, drawing fresh international condemnation for the brutal spectacle. The killing, performed by gunfire in front of a gathered crowd, underscores the regime’s escalating use of capital punishment to instill fear and assert control.
Afghanistan’s Supreme Court announced on October 16, 2025, that the unnamed man was executed in the center of Badghis province in western Afghanistan for the fatal shooting of a man and a woman in a case described as “retaliatory punishment.” The court stated the convict’s case had been “examined very precisely and repeatedly” by three lower courts before receiving final approval from Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Officials had circulated notices inviting local residents to witness the event, emphasizing its role as a deterrent under Islamic principles of Qisas (retaliation in kind). This marks the 11th public execution since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, according to an AFP tally, with the man shot multiple times in the presence of Taliban judges, prosecutors, and security forces.
The execution follows a pattern of high-profile punishments, often held in public venues like stadiums to maximize visibility. Victims’ families were reportedly offered amnesty but refused, aligning with Qisas provisions that allow relatives to carry out the sentence. No details were released on the victims’ identities or the motive behind the killings, but the Supreme Court highlighted the deliberate nature of the crime, stating it warranted the harshest penalty to “uphold public safety and ensure justice.” Taliban officials, including Chief Justice Sheikh Abdul Hakim Haqqani, attended, reinforcing the regime’s commitment to swift, visible enforcement of their judicial code.
This incident echoes earlier executions, such as the February 2024 double killing in Ghazni stadium, where two men were shot by victims’ relatives for stabbing murders, witnessed by thousands. Since reclaiming power, the Taliban have revived public floggings, amputations, and executions—practices routine during their 1996-2001 rule but internationally decried as violations of human rights. The regime defends them as divinely mandated, rejecting Western critiques as cultural imperialism. However, fair trial concerns persist: Amnesty International notes opaque proceedings, lack of appeals, and coerced confessions, with no independent oversight.
Global reactions were swift and scathing. The UN Human Rights Office, commenting on a similar Gardez execution in November 2024, expressed grave concern over the “dehumanizing effect” of public killings, urging an immediate moratorium on the death penalty. Amnesty International’s Livia Saccardi called it a “gross affront to human dignity,” demanding abolition of such punishments and stronger international pressure on the Taliban. The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute condemned the February 2024 Ghazni event as part of a “systematic assault on justice,” highlighting the brutalizing impact on witnesses, including children. On social media, #TalibanExecutions trended, with users decrying the spectacle: “Public killings in 2025? This is medieval barbarism,” tweeted @HRWAsia, amassing 5,000 retweets. Afghan activists in exile echoed calls for sanctions, while Taliban supporters framed it as “restoring order” amid rising crime.
For U.S. readers, this execution amplifies concerns over Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, where Taliban policies exacerbate famine and gender apartheid affecting 23 million in need of aid. Politically, it strains Biden-era isolation, with the U.S. withholding $3.5 billion in frozen assets while pushing for women’s rights via UN resolutions—potentially influencing 2026 foreign aid debates. Economically, it deters investment in a $20 billion GDP nation, impacting U.S. firms in reconstruction or mining. Lifestyle repercussions hit Afghan refugees (over 80,000 resettled in the U.S. since 2021), fueling trauma and advocacy; think diaspora vigils in cities like Houston. In technology, it spotlights surveillance tools—Taliban drones monitor crowds—mirroring U.S. debates on AI ethics in conflict zones. Even sports echo the horror: Executions in stadiums repurpose venues meant for unity, contrasting with global events like the 2026 World Cup.
User intent for searches like “Taliban public execution November 2025” typically seeks timelines, videos (though restricted), and human rights analyses—activists tracking patterns, journalists verifying facts, and concerned citizens probing policy responses. Managing coverage demands sensitivity: Rely on official statements and NGO reports, avoid graphic details, and direct to resources like Amnesty’s helplines.
As the 11th execution since 2021, this Badghis killing signals no letup in the Taliban’s punitive arsenal, despite global pleas. With Akhundzada’s iron grip, reform seems distant, but mounting isolation could force a reckoning—though for now, fear rules Afghanistan’s public squares. This Taliban public execution double murder, Afghanistan Supreme Court Qisas, human rights Taliban punishments, Badghis province execution 2025, and Taliban death penalty enforcement highlight a regime unmoved by outrage, where justice is swift, public, and unforgiving.
By Sam Michael
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