Taliban Detain Four Men for Imitating ‘Peaky Blinders’ Characters

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The Taliban in Afghanistan arrested at least four young men for imitating the style of characters from the British TV show, Peaky Blinders.

I heard that some young men, all around my age, were arrested in Herat province. The Taliban officials said they sent them to a rehab center on Sunday, which I hope will help them get back on track.

Videos and photos of a group of men in Afghanistan, dressed in the style of the Peaky Blinders – with suits, vests, flat caps, and coats – are quickly spreading online. The clips show them walking through the city of Herat with stern looks, and some are holding what appear to be cigars. These videos have already been viewed millions of times.

Even something as simple as fashion can get you into trouble in Afghanistan. This week, the Taliban arrested four young men in Herat simply for dressing like the characters in the show Peaky Blinders. They weren’t accused of any crime beyond wearing flat caps and long coats – apparently, that’s enough to cause problems.

— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) December 10, 2025

I was deeply disturbed to hear about the recent arrests made by the Taliban. They claim these men were arrested for simply sharing aspects of foreign culture, which feels incredibly restrictive. A spokesperson, Saif Khyber, explained they’ve started a program to ‘correct’ these individuals, emphasizing their commitment to their own religion, culture, and values. He proudly stated they’ve fought hard to protect their country from what they consider ‘corrupting’ influences, and will continue to do so. Essentially, the Taliban believe these men were acting against both Islamic principles and Afghan traditions, and they’re determined to enforce their vision of cultural purity.

After receiving counseling, the men expressed regret for their actions and were asked to apologize. However, officials did not release specifics about what that apology entailed.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban enforces strict rules about how men dress. They require men to grow long beards and wear traditional clothing, like a salwar kameez with either a hat or a turban. They discourage wearing Western clothes such as T-shirts and pants.

It’s heartbreaking to see what’s happening. This government has outlawed so much of what brings joy to people – things like music, TV, even just having a guitar. They say it’s because of their interpretation of religious law, but it feels like a deliberate attempt to control every part of people’s lives.

Before they were arrested, Asghar Hussaini, one of the men involved, spoke to the media while dressed as the character Tommy Shelby. He explained that their goal was to travel throughout Afghanistan, highlighting the country’s culture and diverse clothing, with plans to share this globally in the future.

As a film fan, I’ve seen enough stories about oppressive regimes to recognize the signs, and what’s happening in Afghanistan with the Taliban is deeply concerning. Their harsh rules and recent arrests are getting international attention, and honestly, it feels like a replay of their crackdown in the 90s. Human rights groups are saying the same thing – these actions are severely limiting people’s freedoms, and it’s a really worrying situation.

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2025-12-10 16:45