Audio By Carbonatix
A couple in Indonesia has been caned 140 times for having sex outside marriage and drinking alcohol because it violates Sharia, or Islamic religious law.
The 21-year-old woman fainted after what authorities said was a record number of strokes to be meted out in a public caning session in the Aceh province.
Three female officers took turns striking her with a rattan cane, while she cried. After she collapsed, she was carried off the stage by female officers to an ambulance.
The couple were caned on Thursday along with four others, including an officer from the Islamic police force, who were all found guilty of violating Sharia.
Caning is a common punishment for breaking Islamic law in religiously conservative Aceh, although the practice has long drawn criticism from rights groups who say it’s cruel.
Under Aceh’s Islamic criminal code, sex outside marriage is punishable by 100 strokes of the cane, while consuming alcohol carries 40 strokes.
Canings are not regulated properly, says Azharul Husna, the Aceh coordinator for Indonesian rights group Kontras, adding that the rules around such punishments should be “improved” to support people after they’re caned.
The officer from the Islamic police force was caned 23 times, as was his female partner, for being in close proximity in a private place.
He was caught alone with her in her house, Muhammad Rizal, the head of Aceh’s Islamic police force told BBC Indonesian, adding that the officer would be dismissed.
Aceh is the only province in Muslim-majority Indonesia to enforce the Sharia, and punishes many of the offences with public canings.
Latest Stories
-
Grassroots are backbone of victory, not spectators – Bryan Acheampong pledges support after nationwide tour
15 seconds -
MahamaCares covers GH¢46,000 kidney cancer treatment for four-year-old at Ho Teaching Hospital
3 minutes -
East Legon Hills residents petition Ghana Water over prolonged shortages
6 minutes -
Tourism Minister urges board chairs to drive institutional reset and growth
17 minutes -
Ghana Prisons Service urges support for ‘One Ghana Cedi Agenda’ initiative
21 minutes -
Mahama reaffirms commitment to a strong Armed Forces amid rising security threats
22 minutes -
Daily Insight for CEOs: The CEO’s role in personal effectiveness and leadership discipline
23 minutes -
Gov’t to build new girls’ dormitories for Nobisco and Labone SHS after fire outbreak
27 minutes -
Security is a shared national duty – President Mahama to Ghanaians
31 minutes -
MTN Ghana supports gov’t flagship ‘One Million Coders’ programme with $2m investment
32 minutes -
National Service students portal activated for 2025/2026 teachers and nurses
35 minutes -
NSA extends deadline for submission of monthly evaluation forms
38 minutes -
Legal Green Association condemns alleged military assault on Media General journalist in Walewale
44 minutes -
ECG to deploy franchise officers nationwide from February 2026 to boost service delivery and revenue assurance
46 minutes -
Mahama ditches corporate look for military uniform again at GAF graduation
48 minutes
