'How is fashion illegal?': Peaky Blinders fans rage as Taliban detains four Afghan men for wearing Thomas Shelby outfits, sends them to a 'strict rehab program'

Nillohit Bagchi | Dec 11, 2025, 02:18 IST

( Image credit : X/@DiscussingFilms | Four young Afghan men who dressed like Peaky Blinders characters have been detained by the Taliban and sent to a rehabilitation program for promoting foreign culture )

Four Afghan men were detained after dressing like Peaky Blinders characters, with the Taliban accusing them of promoting foreign culture.

Four young Afghan men are facing a surreal punishment after choosing to dress like the iconic characters from Peaky Blinders. Their flat caps, long coats and quiet confidence were meant to be fun cosplay. Instead, the Taliban saw it as a serious offence. The group has now been marched into a strict rehabilitation program for what officials claim is “promoting foreign culture”.

The incident has shocked the world and sparked a wave of anger, humour and disbelief online. From Afghan activists to British fans who treat Peaky Blinders like a national treasure, reactions have poured in and turned the case into a global talking point.

The arrest that started with a flat cap

The four friends from Jibrail in Herat had been enjoying minor viral fame. Their 1920s inspired outfits, complete with overcoats and imitation cigars, earned millions of views on TikTok and YouTube. Local videos even showed them proudly discussing how Peaky Blinders gave them a fresh escape from years of plain clothing.

( Image credit : X/@DailyLoud | The four friends from Jibrail in Herat had been enjoying minor viral fame )

But their brief online stardom came to a sudden end when Taliban morality officers arrived. Officials said the men were spreading Western behaviour and ordered them into a rehabilitation centre. One member of the group appeared in a recorded apology where he promised to delete his posts and stop dressing in “un-Islamic” styles.

Taliban officials call Peaky Blinders costume 'a moral violation'

A spokesman for the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue said the men had crossed key “red lines” by copying actors from a foreign show. The statement argued that Afghans should only follow traditional cultural rules and avoid anything tied to Western media. The ministry insisted this was not an arrest but “guidance”, yet the public apology and forced correction showed a harsher reality.

( Image credit : X/@FearBuck | A spokesman for the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue said the men had crossed key “red lines” by copying actors from a foreign show )

Observers called the punishment another sign of the tightening limits on personal expression. Clothing, haircuts and social media behaviour have all come under heavier control since the 2024 expansion of morality laws.

Global outrage turns into memes and sarcasm

The story spread across the world within hours. Many online users responded with disbelief. One Afghan journalist wrote, “No weapons, no crime, only flat caps and long coats. That was apparently too dangerous.” His post collected thousands of likes as people questioned how fashion could be treated like a threat.

( Image credit : Screenshot taken from X | Many online users responded with disbelief )

Some fans reacted with dark humour. One user said, “Of course they were sent to rehab. Only addicts would dare dress like Peaky Blinders.” Another viewer joked, “In Afghanistan, even style is illegal.” Others expressed real frustration, calling the incident a symbol of suppressed creativity.

A deeper tension beneath the surface

Human rights defenders called the case serious and worrying. They noted that the young men belong to the Hazara community, a minority that has long faced discrimination. Activists argued that the arrests show how personal style can become a target for harsher control, especially for vulnerable groups.

Even Afghan residents who follow strict rules said the punishment felt excessive. A friend of the cosplayers told local reporters that the outfits were harmless and offered a little escape in a country where fun is often policed.

Peaky Blinders fans rally behind the 'Jebrael Shelbys'

British fans of the show reacted with a mix of confusion and pride. Some joked that this was proof the series truly shaped global fashion. Others demanded someone “give these boys asylum”. Several posts celebrated the men for bringing the spirit of Tommy Shelby to a place where even imagination feels dangerous.

The hashtag #FreeTheJebraelShelbys began trending in parts of social media as people called their arrest unfair. Many argued that clothing should never be treated as a crime.