Taliban executes four people in public display of power
- Four individuals were publicly executed in Afghanistan on April 11, marking a rise in such actions since the Taliban returned to power.
- Executions were conducted under Taliban rules with victims shot multiple times by relatives in front of spectators.
- Global condemnation has surged against the Taliban’s enforcement of harsh laws and public executions, posing risks to their international relations.
On April 11, 2025, the Taliban conducted the highest number of public executions in a single day since taking power again, with four individuals executed across different locations in Afghanistan. The executions took place in the provinces of Badghis, Zaranj in Nimroz, and Farah city. Witnesses reported that two of the men were shot multiple times by relatives of the victims in a public setting, while the other two were executed in different areas. This gruesome act has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and ignited a wave of international outcry regarding the Taliban's return to such brutal practices. The Taliban's actions are reminiscent of its first rule from 1996 to 2001, when public executions were commonly held in sports stadiums. The use of such punishment was a cornerstone of the Taliban's governance, which imposed a stringent interpretation of Islamic law. The recent executions have raised alarm among international organizations and are seen as a reaffirmation of the Taliban’s ideological commitment to enforcing their version of justice, including the principle of