KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Afghanistan carried out its first series of judicial executions in three years, putting 15 prisoners to death by firing squad.
Presidential spokesman Hamayon Hamidzada made the announcement at a press briefing in Kabul Tuesday, China's Xinhua news agency reported.
He said none of the men were political prisoners, and had been convicted of "murdering, adultery, armed robbery and kidnapping," the report said.
"Although the government respects the concerns of the international community, the execution has taken place within the framework of the constitution and can teach others to take lesson and avoid committing crimes," Hamidzada said.
The country had imposed a moratorium on the death sentence in April 2004 after executing former military commander Abdullah Shahhiatus with a gunshot to the head, The Jurist reported.
The executions took place Sunday night on the outskirts of Kabul at Pul-e-Charkhi, the country's largest prison, the report said.
