Peaky Blinders costumes land Afghan youths in trouble with the Taliban

Four Afghan youths who dressed up as the Peaky Blinders have been cautioned by the Taliban.

In posts on social media, the group pose in dark suits, coats and flat caps typical of the fictional Shelby crime family depicted in the drama.

But now the men, aged in their early 20s, have been picked up by the ruling Taliban regime for wearing clothing "in conflict with Afghan and Islamic values".

According to reports, the men are from Jebrael, in the western province of Herat.

Saiful Islam Khyber, spokesman for the Taliban Ministry of the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, commented on the case.

He posted on social media: "They were then caught promoting screen culture and imitating film actors in Herat, and a program was started for their reform.

"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."

However, speaking to CBS, he insisted that the young men were not arrested, "only summoned and advised and released".

Videos of the group walking the streets of their hometown have collectively racked up more than a million views on TikTok.

They were posted by one of the men using the name Thomas Shelby after Cillian Murphy's main character.

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In a November interview on the YouTube channel Herat Mic, the young men said they had received largely positive feedback from local people.

"At first, we had our doubts, but as soon as we ventured outside, we found that people admired our style, approached us on the streets, and requested to take photos with us," Yaqoobi said.

"Despite a few negative remarks, our attention remained on the gratitude expressed towards us."