Taliban Begins Implementing Penal Code Principles with Sentencing in Badghis

An exclusive Amu TV report indicates that the Taliban has begun implementing its penal code principles, with the first case involving the sentencing of a man to one year in prison and 39 lashes for insulting the Taliban leader.

Three local and informed sources confirmed to Amu TV that a Taliban primary court in Jahan Dosti village, Bala Murghab district of Badghis province, convicted Abdul Khaliq, son of Abdul Qudos and a resident of the village, under Article 18 of the penal code principles. The sources said the man made remarks about the Taliban leader during a gathering, prompting a complaint from a Taliban member who arrested him on the spot.

Social activist Nergis Haydari stated: "When even criticism of the leader is criminalized, this creates deep concerns about citizens' basic rights, the right to critique, the right to critique power, and the rule of law. Glorifying one individual and punishing any opposing speech contradicts an open and accountable society."

The Taliban leader recently approved the penal code principles, spanning 10 chapters and 119 articles. Several articles have drawn criticism for allegedly suppressing people and violating human rights, with some human rights groups warning of mentions of 'slavery' and heavy punishments for the public while exempting Taliban members and supporters. The Taliban has threatened legal action against critics without responding to concerns.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said: "This is the Sharia principles code (in Taliban terms). We respectfully ask those protesting to first refer to the Sharia."

Some religious scholars have criticized parts of the code, arguing it contradicts Islamic teachings and the Hanafi school, even granting the Taliban authority over matters that are permissible. A recent video circulating on social media features a scholar saying: "If a Maliki becomes Hanafi, what do you do, imprison him? With regret, this law is neither based on Sharia nor properly on the Hanafi school... Imprisoning someone for two years is injustice... It wastes a person's life, a crime against him and his family."