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 10, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
The French journalist who was captured disguised in...
The French journalist who was captured disguised in a burka after entering Afghanistan was pelted with stones as the Taleban paraded him through the streets of Jalalabad
- OCTOBER 9, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Michel Peyrard, who works for the French news magazine...
Michel Peyrard, who works for the French news magazine Paris Match, and two Pakistani guides identified as Mohammed Irfan and Mukkaram Khan were arrested in the east of the country wearing a full-length women's veil, or burqa
- OCTOBER 8, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw warned the Taliban...
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw warned the Taliban that the UK will hold them responsible for the safety of British journalist Yvonne Ridley
- OCTOBER 8, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban escorted a reporter for...
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban escorted a reporter for London's Sunday Express, Yvonne Ridley, to neighboring Pakistan after releasing her from a 10-day detention
- OCTOBER 7, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Australia refused to consider any deal with Afghanistan...
Australia refused to consider any deal with Afghanistan to halt threats against the ruling Taliban in exchange for the release of eight foreign aid workers charged with promoting Christianity
- OCTOBER 7, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Anyone found guilty of spying for the US and preparing...
Anyone found guilty of spying for the US and preparing a rebellion against the Taliban faces the death penalty by the terms of a fatwa imposed since the USA began its bombing campaign on Afghanistan on October 7, 2001
- OCTOBER 6, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Afghanistan's Taliban said they would release eight...
Afghanistan's Taliban said they would release eight foreign aid workers held on charges of promoting Christianity if the United States backed off from attacking the country
- OCTOBER 6, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Berlin and Washington rejected an offer by the Taliban...
Berlin and Washington rejected an offer by the Taliban militia to release aid workers [Georg Taubmann, Silke Duerrkopf, Margrit Stebner and Kati Jelinek] in return for a withdrawal of military threats on Afghanistan [following the September 11 terrorist a
- OCTOBER 5, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Afghanistan's Taliban authorities said they were willing...
Afghanistan's Taliban authorities said they were willing to put Islamic militant Osama bin Laden on trial before an Islamic court if the United States provides solid proof of his involvement in the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington
- OCTOBER 4, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
A female British journalist arrested by the Taliban...
A female British journalist arrested by the Taliban for illegally entering Afghanistan will face trial for "violating the laws" the country, the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported
- OCTOBER 4, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
The judge presiding over the trial of two Australian...
The judge presiding over the trial of two Australian aid workers in Kabul has been named as an associate of Osama bin Laden and placed on a Reserve Bank of Australia financial blacklist
- OCTOBER 2, 2001AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
Six men were arrested in the southeast of the country...
Six men were arrested in the southeast of the country for distributing leaflets in support of the king and the US, Taliban sources said