KABUL, Afghanistan — A Taliban judicial delegation led by Abdul Malik Haqqani, the deputy chief justice of the Taliban’s Supreme Court, has requested that Iran share a list of Afghan prisoners, particularly those sentenced to death.
The request was made during a meeting with Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy judiciary chief, during Haqqani’s visit to Tehran, according to a statement issued by the Taliban’s Supreme Court on Sunday.
Haqqani called for leniency toward Afghan prisoners facing execution, citing Islamic principles. “Execution is a discretionary punishment, and Islam provides prosecutors with the authority to exercise discretion in such cases. We request Iranian authorities, in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood, to replace execution with alternative measures,” he said.
The Taliban also urged Iranian officials to ensure that Afghan migrants in Iran are granted the right to work and education “in accordance with Sharia.”
The meeting reportedly focused on strengthening judicial cooperation between the two countries. Discussions included potential alternatives to execution for Afghan prisoners and improving the rights of Afghan migrants living in Iran.
According to the Taliban’s statement, Gharibabadi assured the delegation that 1,500 Afghan prisoners would soon be transferred back to Afghanistan. He also emphasized that efforts would be made to treat Afghan citizens with dignity.
Iranian officials have not publicly commented on the meeting.
The request comes amid a noticeable increase in the execution of Afghan citizens in Iran in recent months. The rise in executions has heightened tensions, particularly as migration from Afghanistan to Iran has surged following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
At the same time, the number of Afghan migrants leaving Iran has also increased, reflecting growing economic and social challenges faced by refugees in the country.
