Taliban Detain 'Peaky Blinders' Lookalikes in Herat, Citing Breach of 'Islamic Values'

Four young men in Herat province who adopted the dress and mannerisms of characters from the BBC crime drama Peaky Blinders have been detained by the Taliban’s morality ministry. The group, all in their early 20s and known online as the "Jebrael Shelbys," filmed themselves in flat caps, suits, waistcoats and long overcoats as they paraded through their township of Jebrael; their videos have drawn millions of views on social media.

The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice — the hardline morality body that replaced the former Ministry of Women’s Affairs — said the arrests were prompted by the men "promoting foreign culture" and engaging in behaviour deemed inconsistent with Afghan and Islamic norms. Saif Khyber, a Taliban spokesman, said: "A programme for their correction has begun. We, praise be to God, are Muslims and Afghans; we have our own religion, culture and values."

The group’s leader, Asghar Hussaini, who played the character Tommy in their videos, told a YouTube interviewer before the arrests that they formed in mid-November out of a shared interest in the show’s clothing. "We want to go to all provinces of Afghanistan and showcase the culture and different types of clothing in Afghanistan in future globally," he said. Fellow member Ashour Akbari, who portrayed Michael, said the reaction inside Afghanistan had largely been positive and that they aimed to introduce variety into local dress.

The ministry described the performances as "foreign film-style acts" and reportedly forced the men to apologise on camera. Officials said the detainees showed "remorse" after receiving "necessary guidance," but the circumstances under which their statements were recorded remain unclear.

The arrests follow the detention last week of a 70-year-old TikTok user known as "Malak Akbar," who was accused of posting "un-Islamic" content and transferred to a Taliban court. Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban have implemented a strict interpretation of Sharia law across Afghanistan, sharply curbing free expression, restricting women's rights and enforcing rigid dress codes.

Context: The incident highlights the Taliban's continued campaign to suppress cultural expression that officials consider foreign or morally inappropriate. International rights groups have repeatedly warned that such policies are eroding personal freedoms and targeting creative communities.