Taliban Stage Mass Public Execution in Front of 80K in Khost Stadium

Armed Taliban guards patrolled the stadium and prevented anyone from filming. Photo: AP

The Taliban carried out a mass public execution in Afghanistan’s eastern city of Khost on Tuesday, putting a convicted killer to death in front of an estimated 80,000 spectators. Authorities said the man had murdered 13 members of his extended family, including nine children, earlier this year.

Photo: Tens of thousands of people turned out to watch the public execution. Photo: AP

According to the Taliban-run Supreme Court, the execution followed rulings by lower courts, an appeals court and final approval from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Officials said the victim’s relatives refused an offer of forgiveness and demanded Qisas — a form of retributive justice under Sharia law. A teenage relative, reportedly just 13 years old, was forced to carry out the execution.

Video footage showed the crowd gathering at the stadium in in the eastern city of Khost. Photo: Reach Publishing Services Limited

Armed Taliban guards patrolled the stadium and barred spectators from filming, though footage taken outside showed huge crowds entering the venue. The Supreme Court said this was the 11th public execution since the Taliban regained control in 2021.

The UN’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, condemned the execution as «inhumane» and in violation of international law.

Since returning to power, the Taliban have reinstated harsh Sharia punishments, including public executions, floggings and stonings, alongside sweeping restrictions on women’s rights and education.

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