A woman collapsed and required assistance to be carried away after she and her partner were each subjected to 100 lashes for engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage under the stringent Sharia laws enforced in the Indonesian province of Aceh.
Public Caning in Banda Aceh
The incident took place in Banda Aceh, located at the northern tip of Sumatra island, where the unidentified woman was publicly caned. A person clad entirely in dark brown attire administered the punishment. The woman's partner was observed grimacing throughout the ordeal.
Draconian Laws in Aceh
Aceh is the sole region within Muslim-majority Indonesia that implements Sharia law, which prohibits sexual activity between unmarried couples. Caning serves as a penalty for a variety of offenses, including gambling, alcohol consumption, homosexual acts, and extramarital relations. The most severe punishments under Aceh's Sharia law are reserved for perpetrators of child rape, who may face up to 200 cane strokes, a prison term of up to 200 months, or a fine equivalent to two kilograms of gold.
Previous Harsh Punishments
In January of this year, another couple received 140 lashes each for drinking alcohol and having extramarital sex, representing one of the harshest penalties in the region. That couple was caned in a public park while dozens of onlookers watched. The woman in that case also fainted and required an ambulance. They received 100 lashes for extramarital sex and an additional 40 for alcohol consumption.
Muhammad Rizal, head of Banda Aceh's Sharia police, remarked at the time: 'As promised, we make no exceptions, especially not for our own members. This certainly tarnishes our name.'
Last year, two men were each given 76 lashes after being found guilty of engaging in sexual relations by a Sharia court.
