Four Afghan men detained for dressing like ‘Peaky Blinders’ characters, Taliban say promoting ‘foreign culture’

Authorities in western Afghanistan briefly detained four young men for dressing like characters from the British crime drama Peaky Blinders, according to a report by CBS News, which first detailed the development. The group, all in their early twenties, was reportedly taken into custody in Herat’s Jibrail township after walking the streets in trench coats and flat caps, a look the Taliban considered a threat to Afghan identity.

Accused of “promoting foreign culture”

CBS News cited Afghanistan’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice as saying that the men were punished for “promoting foreign culture.” Saif-ur-Islam Khyber, the ministry’s spokesperson, confirmed to CBS News that a rehabilitation program had been initiated for them.

Taliban detains 4 men for dressing up as Peaky Blinders “We saved this country from the spread of a corrupt culture at great sacrifice, and now we will protect it,” Taliban representative said.pic.twitter.com/Q6iSpKxq2j

— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) December 10, 2025

In an earlier social media statement, Khyber wrote, “They were promoting foreign culture and imitating film actors in Herat, arrested, and a rehabilitation program started for them. Praise be to Allah, we are Muslims and Afghans; we have our own religion, culture, and values. Through numerous sacrifices, we have protected this country from the spread of harmful cultures, and now we are also defending it.”

Officials walk back on ‘arrest’ claim

When contacted later by CBS News, Khyber softened the ministry’s initial stance. He claimed the four men were “only summoned and advised and released,” and that their detention had not amounted to a formal arrest.

Khyber said the ministry’s concern centered on behavior and clothing that did not align with Afghan norms. “We have our own religious and cultural values, and especially for clothing we have specific traditional styles,” he told CBS News.

Taliban argues the outfits “do not match our culture”

According to Khyber, the outfits worn by the men lacked any connection to Afghan tradition. “The clothing they wore has no Afghan identity at all and does not match our culture. Secondly, their actions were an imitation of actors from a British movie,” he said.

He added that Afghans should follow religious leaders, not foreign entertainment. “Our society is Muslim; if we are to follow or imitate someone, we should follow our righteous religious predecessors in good and lawful matters.”