Indonesia couple lashed in Aceh despite virus fears

A woman is escorted by officials before receiving 100 whippings by religious police as punishment for pre-marital sex, outside a mosque in Jantho, Aceh province on June 5. A couple in Indonesia's conservative Aceh was publicly flogged 100 times each on June 5 after they were caught having pre-marital sex, as one pleaded for an end to the painful punishment. Aceh is the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia to impose Islamic law, which allows whipping for a range of charges. - AFP

ACEH BESAR (AFP): Two Indonesians caught having pre-marital sex were flogged a hundred times each on Friday in conservative Aceh province with a fraction of the usual crowd watching, due in part to Covid-19 (coronavirus) fears, officials confirmed on Saturday (June 6).

Aceh is the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia to impose Islamic law, which allows whipping for charges including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and gay sex.