Couple flogged 140 times for extramarital affair and drinking

Two young people were publicly flogged 140 times in Indonesia's Aceh province for violating Sharia law. They were given the harsh punishment on Thursday (January 29) for having extramarital affairs and drinking alcohol.

The 21-year-old woman lost consciousness during the punishment, causing a stir among the officers present. Local authorities said this was the highest number of lashes in a single session in the history of Aceh province.

According to eyewitnesses, the young woman was crying in pain during the flogging. Three female officers beat her with canes in turn. At one point, she collapsed on the stage and was taken to an ambulance by female police officers. Under Aceh's Sharia criminal code, extramarital sex is punishable by 100 lashes and drinking alcohol by 40 lashes.

The couple were among four other people sentenced on the same day for various offences. Among them was a member of Aceh's own Islamic police force. The officer was caned 23 times after being caught having an inappropriate relationship with a woman in a secluded place. The force's chief, Muhammad Rizal, confirmed that the officer would soon be dismissed from his post.

Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country, but Aceh is the only province where strict Sharia law is in force. However, such public canings have long been criticised by human rights groups as "cruel and inhumane".

Azharul Husna, Aceh coordinator for the human rights organization Contras, said the sentencing process is not properly regulated and that existing rules need to be improved for the subsequent rehabilitation of convicted individuals.