Authorities in Aceh province, Indonesia, ordered a male-female couple to be publicly caned 140 times each after violating Sharia law by engaging in extramarital sex and drinking alcohol. This is reported as one of the harshest punishments since the implementation of Islamic law. The woman fainted after the punishment was completed.
Foreign news agencies reported the severe punishment in Aceh, the only province in Indonesia that enforces Islamic or Sharia law. On 29 Jan 2024 GMT+7, religious police publicly caned the couple 140 times each before a large crowd gathered at a public park.
Muhammad Rizal, head of the Sharia police in Banda Aceh, revealed that the couple was punished with caning using a rattan cane. The penalty was divided into two offenses: 100 lashes for extramarital sex and 40 lashes for alcohol consumption, totaling 140 lashes each. This is among the highest numbers of lashes since Aceh was granted special autonomous governance in 2001.
Reports indicate the woman fainted after enduring the full number of lashes, prompting officials to rush her to an ambulance immediately.
On the same day, four other individuals were also flogged for violating religious laws, bringing the total to six people punished. Among them was a 'Sharia police officer' and a woman caught together in a secluded place; both were sentenced to 23 lashes each.
Muhammad Rizal stated, "We make no exceptions for anyone, even members of our own organization, because such actions tarnish the reputation of the institution."
Caning remains strongly supported by the population in Aceh province to address offenses such as gambling, alcohol consumption, same-sex relations, and extramarital sex. Last year, two men were each caned 76 times after a Sharia court found them guilty of sexual relations.
. . .AFP