Four young men in Herat, Afghanistan, have been apprehended by the Taliban after being seen wearing outfits inspired by the British television series Peaky Blinders—a decision the Taliban claims constitutes “promoting foreign culture.”
The individuals, all in their early 20s and named Asghar Husinai, Jalil Yaqoobi, Ashore Akbari, and Daud Rasa, gained local fame in the Jibrail township of Herat after images and videos of them donning flat caps, trench coats, and vintage suits circulated widely on social media, according to Saif-ur-Islam Khyber, a spokesperson for the Taliban.
He further stated that the attire “lacks any Afghan identity and does not align with our culture,” and condemned their mimicry of foreign film stars.
The Taliban reported that the four were initially “arrested” and placed in a so-called “rehabilitation programme.” However, in a statement to CBS News, the Taliban later clarified that the men were merely “summoned, advised, and released.”
One of the individuals, in an audio recording released by the Taliban, expressed remorse, stating: “Unknowingly, I used to publish and disseminate content that was contrary to Sharia. … From this day forward, I will refrain from engaging in such sinful behaviors.”
Before their detention, the four individuals informed CBS News that they were motivated by the vintage aesthetic of the show and had appreciated the favorable attention. As one of them expressed: “Initially, we were reluctant, but once we stepped outside, people admired our style, approached us in the streets, and wished to take photographs with us.”
However, due to the strict dress codes imposed by the Taliban since 2021, their fashion selections were considered inappropriate.
