Taliban Detain Young Men in Herat Over “Peaky Blinders” Style Clothing

Taliban officials in Afghanistan detained four young men in Herat after they were seen walking in coordinated outfits inspired by the British television series Peaky Blinders. Authorities said the clothing - trench coats and flat caps - ran contrary to Islamic values and Afghan cultural norms, and said the men were placed in what was described as a "rehabilitation" process.

The incident occurred in Herat's Jibrail township, where the group had become locally known for their matching style. Short videos of the men strolling together circulated widely on Afghan social media, quickly drawing national attention and mixed public reactions.

Afghanistan's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice accused the group of promoting Western culture. Ministry spokesperson Saif-ur-Islam Khyber said the men were summoned for guidance because they were copying characters from foreign films. He stated that Afghan society has its own religious and cultural standards that should not be replaced by outside influences.

Later, the ministry softened its account of the incident, saying the men were not formally arrested but were instead advised and released. Officials said the purpose of the interaction was to offer moral guidance rather than impose legal penalties.

The four young men - Asghar Husinai, Jalil Yaqoobi, Ashore Akbari and Daud Rasa - all in their early 20s, had gained online attention well before their detention. In earlier interviews, they said many local residents were curious and supportive of their unique fashion, with people often stopping them for photos.

Following the incident, a ministry-released video included an audio clip, believed to be from one of the men, expressing regret for promoting content said to be against Sharia on social media and promising to avoid similar activities in the future.

The episode has highlighted the ongoing tension in Afghanistan between global popular culture and the Taliban's strict enforcement of religious and cultural codes, especially in public dress and social media behaviour.