The Afghan Taliban have said they are investigating the killing of Nazar Mohammad Khasha, a local comedian in the southern province, Kandahar.

The official announcement of the change in the Taliban’s stance came a few days ago when a video surfaced showing Nazar Mohammad in the back seat of a car holding a group of people who appeared to be Taliban.

Armed persons can be seen slapping the comedian and his hands were apparently tied.

There has been a strong reaction on social media against the murder. Many users criticized the Taliban for calling the killings “unjustified cruelty”.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi wrote on his Twitter account on July 7 that Khasha had been killed in an attack in Kandahar City.

He also claimed that Nazar had insulted religious leaders and Taliban prisoners.

The Taliban’s stance on the incident has changed repeatedly. Sohail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban’s political office in Doha, initially denied the killing, but when the latest video surfaced, said the incident should be investigated.

Nazar Mohammad had come to Kandahar for Eid when he was taken into custody from his home and killed.

Senior journalist Sami Yousafzai shared a video of the Afghan artist in custody.

Moment before Kandahar comedian Fazal muhammad Aka Khasha zwan was executed in cold blood by Taliban .
Killing of civilians / prisoners / by Taliban undeniable .
آمریکاته شکست ورکوم خو د یو ۶٧ کلن مسخره کومیدی خاشه ځوان نه داریږم ، لاسونه یی ورتړم بیا یې وژنم . pic.twitter.com/WyGEBl7ZaF

Advertisement

— Sami Yousafzai (@Samiyousafzai) July 27, 2021

Khasha’s body has been received by his family. Authorities say his hands were tied behind his back. Khasha is said to have been a policeman at one time and was quite famous for his jokes and had a large following on social media.

Amrullah Saleh, Afghanistan’s first vice president, wrote on his Facebook page: “The video of Khasha in Kandahar shows that the Taliban are not bound by Sharia. They have no court and no law and no humanity.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid acknowledged that the killings contradicted Taliban policy. He added that an investigation would be launched and those involved would be held accountable.

Also Read

Afghan Authorities Arrest Four Journalists On Charges Of Spreading Propaganda

Afghan authorities have arrested four journalists who entered Spin Boldak in the...