Indonesia: Flogging Of Unmarried Couples, Tipplers For Islamic Law Violation Continues Despite Covid-19

The orthodox Aceh province in Indonesia has continued to flog Islamic Law violators like unmarried couples, tipplers and gamblers, Daily Mail has reported.

Six Indonesians were caned yesterday (22 April) which included an unmarried couple and four others who were caught drinking alcohol. The authorities meanwhile scaled down the flogging ceremony due to the Covid-19 and held it indoors with a handful people watching on.

While the onlookers were wearing masks, and the floggers hoods, some of the victims though were forced to bear the flogging without any face masks.

An official responsible for dishing out the Sharia punishments has made it clear that whippings will still continue but the total people involved will be curbed given the Covid-19 situation. He has added that opening speeches will also be done away with for the time being.

Floggings for ‘offences’ like unmarried sex, gambling, homosexuality and boozing are a common phenomenon in the Aceh province. They are usually a public spectacle with large crowds turning up to see the punishment getting dished out.