Nine Sharia Law Violators Caned, Female Convict Falls |
Nine people convicted of violating Islamic Sharia law (qanun) were caned in the Taman Sari area of Banda Aceh on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The cases involving the convicts were predominantly adultery, in addition to ikhtilat (unlawful sexual intercourse) and gambling (gambling).
The caning ceremony was held publicly, supervised by law enforcement officers and witnessed by residents present at the scene. The convicts served their sentences in accordance with the final and binding ruling of the Sharia Court.
Rajesh, Head of the General Crimes Section of the Banda Aceh District Attorney's Office, stated that four of the nine convicts were adultery perpetrators from two different couples. Each was sentenced to 100 lashes.
Meanwhile, two convicts in the ikhtilat case received 23 lashes. The three perpetrators of gambling each received nine lashes.
"For adultery, there were four people from two different couples. There was also a gambling case," Rajesh told reporters after the sentencing.
Rajesh stated that the caning penalty will still be carried out for every case of a final and binding Sharia violation. He stated that there are currently several other cases being processed at the Banda Aceh Sharia Court.
He emphasized that caning is part of the implementation of Islamic law in Aceh. Besides enforcing the law, the implementation of the caning penalty is also expected to have a deterrent effect on violators.
A female convict of adultery who was undergoing a caning sentence in Taman Sari collapsed after receiving the punishment. The woman appeared weak after receiving 100 lashes. Seeing her condition, officers immediately provided medical treatment at the scene.
Although she initially felt weak, the prosecutor's office confirmed that the convict did not faint during the caning, but rather after the entire punishment was completed. Her health was also reported to be unaffected.
The Head of the General Crimes Section of the Banda Aceh District Attorney's Office, Rajesh, stated that the convict's condition has now stabilized.
"He didn't faint during the caning, but afterward. He's now better. It's likely due to emotional factors, a combination of pain and emotion," Rajesh said.
He explained that before the caning, all convicts undergo a medical examination by a medical team to ensure their physical condition is fit. During the execution, medical personnel are also on standby at the location to anticipate any emergencies.[]
