Taliban Governor in Herat Threatens Death Penalty for Officials Accused of Corruption

Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the Taliban-appointed governor of Herat province, made a stern declaration stating that he is prepared to issue death sentences for officials identified as corrupt.

The Herat governor’s press office released part of his speech on Saturday, 7 February, in which Islamjar spoke about his approach to administrative corruption. He claimed that he equates corrupt officials with kidnappers and considers taking action against them as his “right.”

In the speech, Islamjar said: “I see a corrupt official like a kidnapper, and if his death is justified, I tell the Taliban to kill him.” These statements reflect a viewpoint that justifies severe and extrajudicial punishments.

However, the Taliban governor in Herat added that what he currently refers to as “the law” prevents him from carrying out such sentences, but otherwise, he is ready to give the order for execution. These remarks have heightened concerns about the lack of transparent legal mechanisms and assurances of fair trials.

This stance comes amid widespread accusations of corruption within the Taliban administration itself, particularly in government offices and the management of mining projects. These allegations have been repeatedly raised by oversight bodies and media reports, yet no clear accountability has been provided.