Afghan ‘Peaky Blinders’ Detained by Taliban for Imitating Western Fashion
Herat, Afghanistan – December 2025
In a bizarre clash of cultures, four young Afghan men who gained viral fame on TikTok by dressing like characters from the hit British TV series Peaky Blinders have been detained by the Taliban. The group, known locally as the “Jebrael Shelbys” or “Thomas Shelby Group,” were accused of promoting “foreign culture” and imitating “infidel” actors in outfits deemed incompatible with Islamic and Afghan values.
The men, all in their early 20s and hailing from the Jebrael (or Jibrail) township in western Herat province, styled themselves after the iconic 1920s Birmingham gangsters portrayed in the BBC/Netflix drama. Their videos featured them strutting through streets in tailored three-piece suits, long overcoats, flat caps, waistcoats, and even cigar-like props—evoking the sharp, brooding aesthetic of Cillian Murphy’s Thomas Shelby and his crew.
Their content exploded in popularity, amassing over a million views on TikTok and drawing positive reactions from locals, who often stopped them for photos. In a pre-arrest interview on the YouTube channel Herat Mic, group leader Asghar Hussaini explained their motivation: “Until today, no one had published this content of classic dressing style in Afghanistan. We have had the same monotonous dressing style for the past many decades and wanted to show variety.” They expressed ambitions to showcase diverse Afghan ethnic clothing in future videos.
However, the fun ended abruptly when the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice intervened. Ministry spokesman Saiful Islam Khyber announced that the youths were summoned, received “guidance” through a short “rehabilitation program,” forced to issue public apologies (including recorded statements expressing remorse), and released with warnings.
Khyber stated: “They were promoting foreign culture and imitating film actors in Herat… Thank God, we Muslims and Afghans have our own religion, culture, and values. We have saved this country from the promotion of bad cultures through great sacrifices, and now we are defending it.” He emphasized that even jeans might be tolerable, but the gangster-inspired look crossed a line due to the show’s perceived anti-Islamic values.
The four men—identified in reports as Asghar Hussaini (Tommy), Jalil Yaqoobi, Ashore Akbari (Michael), and Daud Rasa—were reportedly detained briefly at a cafe before being processed.
This incident highlights the Taliban’s ongoing crackdown on personal expression and Western influences since regaining power in 2021. Similar actions include banning certain hairstyles, mandating fist-length beards for men, and severe restrictions on women’s attire and public life. Just weeks earlier, a 70-year-old TikTok user was detained for “un-Islamic” content.
International reactions ranged from amusement to outrage, with many viewing it as an absurd example of the regime’s control over individuality. As one observer noted, Afghans continue accessing forbidden Western media via VPNs and pirated streams, finding subtle ways to resist cultural isolation.
The story underscores a broader tension: in a country starved of entertainment and freedom, a harmless nod to a global pop culture phenomenon became a symbol of defiance—and swift suppression.
About The Author
