Couple publicly caned after alleged TikTok kiss sparks outrage in Indonesia

In Indonesia's conservative Aceh province, a young couple was publicly caned 21 lashes each after allegedly kissing during a TikTok livestream. The couple, aged 22 and 25, were convicted of violating local morality laws under an Islamic Sharia court. Their actions were reported by residents disturbed by the livestream content. The court confiscated their devices containing the video, which authorities plan to destroy. Aceh is the only Indonesian province with its own Islamic Criminal Code, which allows for caning for various moral offenses. Human rights groups criticize the practice as cruel and degrading, though local authorities defend it.

In Indonesia's Aceh province, a young couple was publicly caned 21 times each after being convicted by a Sharia court for violating Islamic law. The couple, aged 22 and 25, were arrested in April following a TikTok livestream in February where they kissed in a car. Aceh is the only Indonesian province with its own version of Islamic law. The caning, witnessed by over 100 people, was carried out in Banda Aceh. The court also ordered the destruction of evidence, including a mobile phone and USB drive containing the video. Amnesty International Indonesia condemned the public caning as a human rights violation.

An unmarried couple in Indonesia's Aceh province received 21 lashes each on Thursday after being convicted of violating Islamic law. The couple, aged 22 and 25, were punished for kissing during a TikTok live stream that went viral in February. A local sharia court ordered the public caning, which was witnessed by at least 100 people in Banda Aceh. Their arrest followed reports to sharia authorities after the live stream.

A young couple in Indonesia's Aceh province was publicly caned 21 times each on Thursday after an Islamic Shariah court convicted them of violating Islamic law by kissing during a TikTok livestream. The couple, aged 22 and 25, were arrested in April following the viral February livestream. Aceh is the only Indonesian province that enforces a version of Islamic law, which allows caning for various morality offenses. The punishment was witnessed by at least a hundred people. Amnesty International Indonesia condemned the public caning as a cruel and degrading human rights violation. Four other individuals were also caned on the same day for online gambling and adultery.