Afghanistan
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- theocracy
- CONSTITUTION
- new, signed on January 16, 2004 (based on the one from 1964); suspended by the Taliban in 2021
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- the Taliban are applying their interpretation of Islamic law, which is partly based on the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- the Taliban government has not announced the formation of a legislative body
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court and many provincial courts, religious courts and specialized courts
RELIGIONS
Muslim 99.7% (Sunnis 84.7 - 89.7%, Shia 10 - 15%), other <0.3% (2009 est.)
From the country
- OCTOBER 27, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban said that the investigation...
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban said that the investigation against detained French journalist Michel Peyrard was nearly over and that the findings would be presented in court soon
- OCTOBER 26, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
A Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the...
A Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the Taliban executed key opposition leader Abdul Haq in Kabul
- OCTOBER 23, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Afghanistan's Supreme Court said it cannot hold regular...
Afghanistan's Supreme Court said it cannot hold regular sessions in the trial of eight foreign aid workers accused of promoting Christianity due to chaos amid the U
- OCTOBER 23, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
In Jalalabad the top Northern Alliance commander, General...
In Jalalabad the top Northern Alliance commander, General [Mohammad Qasem] Fahim, arrested one of the important leaders of the alliance, [Islamic Unity leader] Professor Abdorrasul Sayyaf, after the allegation of killing [former Northern Alliance commande
- OCTOBER 22, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban authorities said they...
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban authorities said they executed five men for sabotage and spying on behalf of the United States
- OCTOBER 19, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Taliban judges are expected to issue a verdict next...
Taliban judges are expected to issue a verdict next week in the trial of eight foreigners held in jail in Kabul since August on charges of spreading Christianity, their lawyer said
- OCTOBER 18, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Michel Peyrard, the Paris Match journalist arrested...
Michel Peyrard, the Paris Match journalist arrested by the Taleban has spoken from captivity for the first time, saying he knew the risk before he slipped into Afghanistan
- OCTOBER 18, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
The lawyer for eight foreign aid workers on trial for...
The lawyer for eight foreign aid workers on trial for preaching Christianity in Afghanistan said he had lost contact with Kabul after the United States stepped up its air raids on the country
- OCTOBER 14, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
The trial of eight foreign aid workers accused of promoting...
The trial of eight foreign aid workers accused of promoting Christianity in Afghanistan resumed and their lawyer was set to present their defence after a one-day delay to translate his rebuttal, officials said
- OCTOBER 13, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
The trial of eight foreign aid workers accused of promoting...
The trial of eight foreign aid workers accused of promoting Christianity was immediately adjourned after the Supreme Court ordered the Pakistani defence lawyer to present his case in a recognised local language
- OCTOBER 11, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia charged a French...
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia charged a French journalist and two Pakistani colleagues with spying, a crime that carries the death penalty
- OCTOBER 11, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
President Jacques Chirac came to the defence of a French...
President Jacques Chirac came to the defence of a French reporter held by the Taliban and accused of spying after entering Afghanistan disguised as a woman