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
-
At least 30 feared dead in crush at Haitian tourist site
1 hour -
Four arrested over murder of Scottish businessman in Kenya
1 hour -
New Mainoo deal closer, says Man Utd boss Carrick
2 hours -
Sinner beats Alcaraz to return to world top spot
2 hours -
An inappropriate joke nearly ended his career. Now he’s back with more humour
2 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Dreams FC stage stunning comeback to hammer Eleven Wonders
3 hours -
Livestream: The Probe examines Kumasi’s looming water crisis
3 hours -
MTN Ghana gears up to lead Africa’s AI revolution
3 hours -
Philanthropist Alhaji FuZak donates Da’wah bus to Ambariya Sunni community
3 hours -
GUTA calls for suspension of Publican AI system over trade disruptions
3 hours -
TTAG raises alarm over proposed recruitment of 7,000 teachers, demands national posting roadmap
4 hours -
Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
4 hours -
Bishop Simon Kofi Appiah installed as new Jasikan Diocese Bishop
4 hours -
Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade threat raises risks and leaves predicaments unchanged
4 hours -
US Court backs extradition of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu to Ghana
4 hours