Taliban Publicly Execute A Man In Paktia

The Taliban's Supreme Court on Wednesday announced that it had executed a man at the Gardez Stadium in the capital of Paktia province in the presence of senior officials of the group.

Sirajuddin Haqqani and Khalil-ur-Rehman Haqqani, the Taliban's interior and refugee ministers, were present at the public execution, the court said.

The court said that Mohammad Ayaz Asad, a resident of Mirzaki district of Paktia province, was given this sentence on charges of murder. He had killed a person named Habibullah with a rifle.

On Tuesday, the Taliban's Supreme Court had asked residents of this province to come to the stadium to watch the execution, but had asked them to refrain from taking photos and videos.

The Taliban announced that the sentence was carried out after the approval of the group's leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Some local media outlets quoted the family as saying that he had committed the crime during the previous regime.

The court said that Asad was tried in a military court and his case was thoroughly examined by three courts, and then, the verdict was issued.

The statement emphasised that the victim's family had been offered "forgiveness and peace," but the victim's family asked for the execution of the sentence.

The Taliban has not commented on how the execution was carried out.

Recently, the Taliban's Supreme Court announced that it has executed five people since the group's return to power.

The Taliban has said that about 30 more death sentences are awaiting final approval by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah.