Four People Caned 100 Times for Adultery in Indonesia’s Aceh

Four people—two men and two women—were publicly caned 100 times each in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, after being convicted of adultery under Aceh’s strict Islamic laws.

The punishment was carried out at Bustanul Salatin Park in front of a large crowd, including children. During the flogging, an official known as an algojo appeared to show sympathy toward one of the women, whispering words of encouragement as she struggled through the punishment. She was later seen crying and collapsing.

A total of 11 people were caned that day for various offences. Four others received 22 lashes for physical intimacy, two were given seven lashes for being too close to each other, and another man received 20 lashes for drinking alcohol.

Aceh is the only Indonesian province authorised to enforce Sharia-based criminal regulations. The practice has attracted criticism from human-rights organisations, which describe public caning as cruel and degrading.

The province introduced its current Sharia regulations under its special autonomy arrangement following a 2005 peace agreement that ended a long separatist conflict. The laws can apply to both Muslims and, in certain circumstances, non-Muslims.

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