Taliban Detains Afghan Youths for Dressing as Peaky Blinders Characters
Afghanistan’s Taliban government has arrested four young men for sharing videos on social media where they donned outfits reminiscent of the British crime series Peaky Blinders, set in the early 20th century.
The individuals, hailing from Jebrael, a city in western Herat province, showcased their costumes—complete with suits, coats, and hats typical of post-World War I Britain—in their videos while strolling through the town.
They referred to themselves as the “Thomas Shelby Group,” taking inspiration from the show’s protagonist played by Cillian Murphy. Locals even dubbed them the “Jebrael Shelbies.”
One of the members, Jalil Jacobi, mentioned in a YouTube interview that initially, there were doubts about their venture, but they found themselves warmly received by many in their community. “People complimented us, approached us for photos. Sure, there were some negative comments, but overall, the positive reactions stood out,” he recalled.
Another group member, Asghan Hussaini, acknowledged receiving backlash for allegedly “promoting Western culture,” yet countered with a reflection on Afghanistan’s own earlier fashion in the 1950s and 60s.
The Taliban authorities, however, were not pleased. A spokesperson from the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice claimed that the group was detained for “promoting foreign culture” and were undergoing an ideologically motivated re-education.
“They were imitating film actors in Herat, which led to their arrest and subsequent rehabilitation program,” Saif-ul-Islam Khyber explained. He went on to assert that their attire lacked Afghan identity and did not align with local culture.
Khyber emphasized, “We are Muslims and Afghans. Our cultural values are paramount, and we have made sacrifices to uphold them.” He insisted that the group wasn’t jailed but merely “summoned, advised, and released.”
In a striking twist, the Taliban released an audio clip reportedly from one of the detained youths, where he seemed to recant his actions and expressed regret, acknowledging his considerable social media following.
Friends of the four youths contested the Taliban’s narrative, labeling the charges as “ridiculous.” One expressed sorrow, stating, “They simply admired the series and wanted to share that admiration, but it turned into a nightmare. Now they’re in prison.”
The situation adds to the scrutiny of the Taliban’s ministry, which recently detained two street magicians for actions deemed contrary to Islamic law. Khyber highlighted that books related to witchcraft were found during that arrest, alleging they were involved in various social issues.
Film director Sahara Karimi remarked that the Jebrael Shelbies aimed to protest the oppressive system governing them. “This kind of clothing is standard worldwide, and they engage with social media and films just like anyone else,” she noted.
