Woman Collapses After Receiving 140 Lashes for Unmarried Sex and Alcohol in Aceh
In a shocking incident in Indonesia, a woman collapsed after she and her male partner were subjected to a brutal public caning of 140 lashes each. The punishment was administered for the offenses of having sexual relations outside of marriage and consuming alcohol, which are strictly prohibited under the Sharia law enforced in Aceh province.
Public Caning in Banda Aceh Park
The couple was struck on their backs with a rattan stick in a public park on Thursday in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province. Dozens of onlookers witnessed the event, highlighting the public nature of the punishment. According to Muhammad Rizal, the head of Banda Aceh's Sharia police, the total of 140 lashes was divided: 100 for engaging in sex outside marriage and 40 for alcohol consumption.
The woman fainted after enduring her punishment and had to be escorted to an ambulance, with photos showing her being wheeled away on a stretcher. This incident underscores the harsh penalties imposed in Aceh, the only region in Indonesia that implements a version of Sharia law, where such acts are outlawed.
No Exceptions Made, Including for Sharia Police
The couple was among six individuals flogged for violating the Islamic code. Notably, this group included a Sharia police officer and his female partner, who were caught in close proximity in a private setting. They each received 23 strikes. Muhammad Rizal emphasized that no exceptions are made, stating, 'As promised, we make no exceptions, especially not for our own members. This certainly tarnishes our name.'
This statement reflects the strict adherence to Sharia principles in Aceh, where even law enforcement personnel are held accountable for breaches of the code. The public caning serves as a deterrent and a reminder of the severe consequences for those who defy the religious laws in this conservative province.
