A woman lost consciousness after she and her partner were each flogged 100 times for engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage under the Sharia law enforced in an Indonesian province. The incident occurred on May 21 in Banda Aceh, located on the northern tip of Sumatra island.
Public Caning in Banda Aceh
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, had to be carried away following the public caning. An individual clad in a full-length brown garment and a white mask administered the lashes. Her partner was observed grimacing as he endured the punishment.
Sharia Law in Aceh
Aceh is the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia that implements Sharia law, under which unmarried couples are prohibited from having sexual relations. Caning serves as a penalty for various offenses, including gambling, alcohol consumption, homosexual acts, and extramarital sex.
Previous Harsh Punishments
In January, another couple received 140 lashes each for drinking alcohol and having sex outside marriage, marking one of the severest punishments in the region. The couple was struck with a stick in a public park as dozens of onlookers watched. The woman in that case also fainted and required ambulance assistance. They were given 100 lashes for extramarital sex and 40 for alcohol consumption.
Muhammad Rizal, head of Banda Aceh's Sharia police, stated at the time: "As promised, we make no exceptions, especially not for our own members. This certainly tarnishes our name."
Earlier Case of Homosexual Acts
Last year, two men were each sentenced to 76 lashes after being found guilty of engaging in sexual acts by a Sharia court.
