Severe Public Caning in Aceh for Extramarital Sex and Alcohol
In a stark demonstration of Sharia law enforcement, police in Indonesia's ultra-conservative Aceh province publicly lashed a woman and her lover 140 times each on Thursday. The brutal punishment was imposed for the dual offences of having sex outside marriage and consuming alcohol, which is strictly forbidden in the region. According to reports from Agence France-Presse, this case ranks among the most severe sentences witnessed in Aceh over the past quarter-century.
Public Execution of Punishment
The caning took place in a public square, where the couple was whipped across their backs using a rattan cane as onlookers observed. The woman reportedly sobbed uncontrollably during the ordeal and eventually collapsed from the intense pain. Officials had to carry her away on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. Her male partner endured the same punishment beside her, highlighting the uncompromising nature of Aceh's Islamic legal system.
The staggering total of 140 lashes was broken down as follows: 100 strokes for engaging in pre-marital sex and an additional 40 for alcohol consumption. This severe penalty underscores the strict moral code enforced in Aceh, which remains the only region in Indonesia governed exclusively by Islamic law. The implementation of Sharia law began formally in 2001, and public canings have since become a common method for punishing various offences.
No Exceptions, Even for Enforcers
The couple was not alone in facing punishment that day. They were among six individuals who received public lashings for violating Aceh's Islamic code. Notably, the group included a Sharia police officer and his female partner, who were accused of being alone together in a private place—a major violation under local religious law. The pair received 23 lashes each, demonstrating that even those tasked with upholding the law are not exempt from its harsh penalties.
Official Rizal emphasized this point to AFP, stating, "As promised, we make no exceptions, especially not for our own members. This certainly tarnishes our name." This statement reinforces the principle that Sharia law applies uniformly, regardless of one's position or status within the community.
Historical Context and Broader Implications
Public canings in Aceh are not isolated incidents. They are a widely used method for punishing a range of offences, including gambling, drinking alcohol, skipping prayers, sex outside marriage, and same-sex relationships. Last year, for instance, two men were publicly caned for homosexuality in Aceh, as reported by CNN.com. That event, which took place on February 27, 2025, involved the men being whipped dozens of times by masked enforcers in robes and hoods, witnessed by dozens of spectators.
CNN noted that it was the fourth time Aceh had caned people for homosexuality since Islamic law was expanded in 2006—a political concession made to end a long-running separatist conflict. In that case, the men, aged 24 and 18, were originally sentenced to 85 and 80 strokes but ultimately received 82 and 77 lashes after credit for time served. One of them was so weakened by the punishment that he had to be carried away after the final blow.
The recent case of the couple lashed 140 times further illustrates the rigorous enforcement of morality in Aceh. The region's adherence to Sharia law continues to draw international attention, particularly for its severe physical punishments that are carried out in public settings. This incident serves as a reminder of the stark cultural and legal differences that exist within Indonesia, where Aceh stands apart in its strict interpretation and application of Islamic principles.
