Following widespread reactions over a recent execution, the Islamic Emirate said that the execution of guilty people is a divine command and that no one should be concerned about it.

A spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Bilal Karimi, said that the execution, which happened on Wednesday in the western province of Farah, was carried out after many investigations and assessments.

“The execution yesterday took place after many investigations, which were aligned with Islamic (law). All sides should not have any concern in this regard and should respect it,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.

“The supreme leader spoke and said we have struggled this much and fought for 20 years with the pagans to ensure an Islamic system and that now that God has given it to us, (God) means for us to ensure his divine commands,” said Mohammad Ismail Rahmani, a senior member of the Islamic Emirate.

The public execution of a man charged with murder and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court faced widespread reactions by human rights organizations and other countries.

“The UN strongly opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, and calls on de facto authorities to establish immediate moratorium with a view to abolishing the death penalty,” the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Twitter.

“The implementation of (Hudud) is a Sharia command and its implementation is a must, but only if the situation warrants it,” said Aziz Maarij, a former diplomat.

This comes as Afghanistan's supreme court in a statement issued on Thursday said 27 people--18 males and 9 females--were punished by court order in Parwan.

The flogging was in public, sources said.

“Some of them were involved in depravity, running away from home, or being in (illegal) relationships, and some of them were involved in robbery,” said Obaidullah Ameenzada, governor of Parwan.

The public execution was the first since the Islamic Emirate came to power. The individual was killed by the father of the victim.