The Taliban are believed to have carried out their first public execution since returning to power in Afghanistan.
The man executed was said to be identified as Tajmir, with authorities saying he had been killed after reportedly confessing to a murder which took place in 2017.
The execution took place in the south-western Farah province at a sports stadium and was witnessed by Taliban figures as well as hundreds of spectators, said Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban government spokesperson.
It was approved by Taliban supreme leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, who reportedly ordered judges to impose punishments, including public executions, public amputations and stoning.
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It's not currently clear which crimes correspond to which punishments.
Mujahid explained that the decision to carry out the execution had been made 'very carefully' and was approved by three of the country's highest courts.
It is believed by many that the execution marks a return to the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law.
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According to the group, the man executed had stabbed another man named Mustafa, five years ago.
The family of the victim say that Tajmir murdered him and stole his motorcycle and mobile phone back in 2017.
Mustafa's mother told the BBC that Taliban leaders had asked her to forgive Tajmir for his crimes.
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"Taliban came to me and begged me to forgive this infidel," she said.
"They insist me to forgive this man in sake of God, but I told them that this man must be executed and must be buried the same as he did to my son.
"This could be a lesson to other people. If you do not execute him he will commit other crimes in the future."
During the Taliban's rule between 1996 and 2001, the group were widely condemned for their public punishments.
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Last September, it was revealed that executions and hand amputations would resume under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, a senior militant leader said.
It affirmed worldwide fears following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul and wider Afghanistan in August, 20 years after their past administration was ousted amid the US invasion in the wake of 9/11.
"Everyone criticised us for the punishments in the stadium, but we have never said anything about their laws and their punishments. No one will tell us what our laws should be. We will follow Islam and we will make our laws on the Qur’an," Mullah Nooruddin Turabi told the Associated Press.
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Topics: News, World News
Lucy Devine