Indonesian couple received 140 lashes for having sex outside of marriage and drinking alcohol

Banda Aceh, Indonesia — Sharia police on Thursday whipped a couple 140 times each in the Indonesian province of Aceh for having sex outside of marriage and drinking alcohol, likely one of the harshest punishments since the deeply conservative region adopted Islamic law.

Sexual relations between an unmarried couple are strictly prohibited in Aceh, the only place in Indonesia that imposes a version of sharia law.

The couple, a man and a woman, were hit on the back with a rattan stick in a public park in front of dozens of people, according to an News journalist at the scene.

The woman fainted after enduring the punishment and was taken to an ambulance.

In total, the couple received 140 lashes: 100 for having sexual relations outside of marriage and 40 for consuming alcohol, Banda Aceh Sharia police chief Muhammad Rizal told News.

This is believed to be one of the highest numbers of cane canings imposed since sharia law was implemented after Aceh was granted special autonomy in 2001.

The couple were among six people caned for violating the Islamic code, including a sharia police officer and his partner, who were caught in close proximity in a private place.

That couple received 23 strikes each.

“As we promised, we do not make exceptions, especially for our own members. This certainly tarnishes our name,” Rizal said.

Caning retains strong support in Aceh for punishing a range of crimes, including gambling, alcohol consumption, homosexual relations and sexual relations outside of marriage. Men can also be whipped for missing Friday prayers.

Last year, two men were publicly whipped 76 times each after the Islamic court found them guilty of sexual relations. They had been caught hugging and kissing in a public bathroom.

While there is no national law against homosexual relations in Indonesia, under the autonomy granted to Banda Aceh in 2001, the federal government cannot intervene in the application of Sharia law in the province.