Woman flogged in public in southern Libya after adultery conviction
A woman was publicly flogged on a street in Sabha, southern Libya, after being convicted of "zina" — sexual relations outside of recognized marriage — under Libyan law. The punishment was carried out by the local Judicial Police branch, filmed, and shared on social media, triggering strong condemnation from human rights organizations.
In the viral video, a man reads aloud a document described as a ruling from the Sebha Criminal Court, ordering the sentence to be executed publicly. Immediately after, a uniformed Judicial Police officer repeatedly strikes the woman, who sits on the ground with her face and body covered. Security force vehicles are visible in the background.
Human rights group denounces 'dangerous precedent'
The incident was denounced by the National Institution for Human Rights in Libya (NIHRL), an independent civil society organization. In a statement issued on July 24, 2026, NIHRL recalled "the practices of extremist and terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State, Ansar al-Sharia, and Al-Qaeda."
The organization called the public execution "a dangerous precedent," denouncing a violation of the procedures established by the very law invoked to justify the punishment. NIHRL also claimed that the woman was punished "alone and without her partner" and accused the Sabha Criminal Court of ordering street floggings exclusively against women.
To date, neither the court nor the Judicial Police have provided public clarification on the incident.
Law No. 70 of 1973: Legal basis and conditions
Flogging for zina is expressly provided for under Libyan law. Law No. 70 of 1973, approved on October 2, 1973, by the Revolutionary Command Council under Muammar Gaddafi's regime, mandates 100 lashes for the offender and allows the court to add a prison sentence. The provision applies to adults of sound mind who acted knowingly.
However, the law itself establishes specific conditions. The flogging can only be carried out after the sentence has become final and after a medical examination that excludes any risk to the convicted person. Article 7 also stipulates that the sentence be carried out within a police station, in the presence of the competent representative of the prosecutor's office, a doctor, and a group of Muslims. In the case of a woman, she must remain seated and her body must be covered.
NIHRL accuses authorities of exceeding powers
The NIHRL described the public flogging as "the highest level of humiliation, public exposure, and discrimination," accusing bodies formally charged with carrying out judicial decisions of exceeding their powers. The organization stressed that the punishment was carried out on a street instead of inside a police station, without a prior medical check, and apparently without the presence of a prosecutor or doctor.
Furthermore, NIHRL noted that only the woman was punished, while her partner was not flogged, raising concerns of gender-based discrimination in the application of the law. The group called on Libyan authorities to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.
Broader context: Public floggings and human rights in Libya
The incident comes amid ongoing instability in Libya, where militias and armed groups often operate outside state control. While Law No. 70 remains on the books, its public and selective enforcement has been rare in recent years. Human rights watchdogs have repeatedly condemned corporal punishment as cruel and degrading, urging Libya to abolish such practices.
The NIHRL’s statement also highlighted that the public nature of the flogging mirrors tactics used by extremist groups to instill fear and assert control. The organization urged international bodies to pressure Libya to comply with its human rights obligations under international treaties.
As of now, no official response from the Libyan government or judiciary has been issued. The video continues to circulate on social media, drawing widespread outrage and renewed calls for legal reform.
