By Admin 
Under Sharia law in Aceh province of Indonesia, an unmarried man and woman have been sentenced to 140 lashes each. Both were accused of premarital sex and drinking alcohol, which are considered serious crimes under Islamic Sharia law applicable in Aceh. According to officials, this punishment is among the harshest given in recent years.
Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, but secular laws are in force at the national level. Despite this, Aceh is the only province where Sharia law has been fully implemented.
Punishment given in public park
According to AFP report, this punishment was given in a public park in the capital Banda Aceh. A large number of local people were present on the spot. Sharia police whipped both the culprits on the back with canes. During the punishment, the woman’s health deteriorated and she fell unconscious, after which she was immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance. Despite this, Sharia police officials said that the punishment was considered complete according to the law. Officials say that due process was followed under Sharia law and medical monitoring was also present.
How was the sentence of 140 lashes decided?
According to Sharia police, both were given 100 lashes for having sex before marriage and 40 lashes for drinking alcohol. In this way a total of 140 lashes per person were fixed. Banda Aceh’s Sharia police chief Muhammad Rizal confirmed the sentence to AFP. Officials said that such a high number of lashes is not usually given and it is one of the highest punishments since the implementation of Sharia law.
Why is Sharia law applicable only in Aceh?
The legal status of Aceh province is different from the rest of Indonesia. After a long-running separatist conflict, the central government gave special autonomy to Aceh in 2001. Under this autonomy, Aceh was allowed to implement Islamic Sharia law. Under Sharia law, matters like unmarried sex, drinking alcohol, gambling and homosexual relations are considered crimes. These crimes are punished by public flogging, which is considered a means of social control and instilling fear.
Even Sharia police officer did not escape punishment
Another important fact has come to light in this case. A total of six people were punished for violating the Islamic code of conduct, including a Sharia police officer and his female companion. Both were given 23 lashes each. Sharia police chief Muhammad Rizal said the law is equal for everyone and no one can be exempted. He also admitted that such incidents harm the image of the department, but no exceptions can be made in following the rules.
Harsh punishments have been given before also
According to officials, the sentence of 140 lashes is being counted among the harshest punishments in the history of Sharia law. Earlier in the year 2025, two men were given 76 lashes each on charges of homosexual relations, which was strongly criticized at the international level.
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