Aceh Sharia Court Orders Public Caning of Unmarried Couple for TikTok Kiss

On Thursday, July 2 2026, a Sharia court in Banda Aceh sentenced a 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman to 21 lashes each for kissing on a TikTok livestream. The caning took place on a stage in Bustanussalatin City Park before 100 spectators, carried out by officials. The sentence was reduced from 25 lashes after the pair had already served four months in detention.

YnetNews

Aceh is Indonesia’s only province permitted to enforce Islamic law. The government granted this authority in a 2006 peace deal ending a separatist war and expanded it in 2015 to include non-Muslims, ? 1 % of residents. The code allows up to 100 lashes for offences including adultery, gay sex, gambling, alcohol use, women wearing tight clothing, and men missing Friday prayers.

South China Morning Post

The case involves the unnamed couple, the Aceh Sharia court, Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, local resident Aini Nadhirah (22), and the Indonesian central government, which delegated Sharia authority to the province.

Associated Press

• Lashes: 21 each (reduced from 25 after four months served).

YnetNews

• Witnesses: >= 100 people observed.

Associated Press

• Same day: four others caned for online gambling and adultery.

Associated Press

• Legal ceiling: up to 100 lashes.

YnetNews

• Non-Muslims ? 1 % of population.

South China Morning Post

• Evidence: court seized the couple’s phone and USB containing the livestream and ordered destruction.

YnetNews

The Sharia court ordered the sentencing and destruction of the livestream evidence. Indonesia’s central government has not commented publicly. Amnesty International Indonesia condemned the caning as “cruel, inhuman and degrading,” citing Indonesia’s ratification of a convention banning such punishments. Local resident Aini Nadhirah said the punishment warns and educates the public on responsible social-media use.

YnetNews

Human-rights groups, led by Amnesty International, argue the caning breaches human dignity and Indonesia’s international obligations. Some Aceh residents, including Nadhirah, view it as a necessary deterrent against immoral behaviour on public platforms.

Associated Press

Sources spell the resident’s name as Aini Nadhirah or Ayni Nadira. Amnesty International’s statements appear in two slightly different wordings. No official central-government response or information on appeals has been provided.

YnetNews

• “Such behavior might be considered inappropriate because social media is viewed by people of various age groups, including children. But is it a crime that warrants imprisonment or even caning? That would be excessive,” — Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesia

Associated Press

• “Such behavior may be considered inappropriate because social media is viewed by people from different age groups, including children,” — Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesia

YnetNews

• “But is it an offense that justifies imprisonment or even caning?” — Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesia

YnetNews

• “In my opinion, this caning is entirely justified because it serves as a warning to other Aceh residents to be more careful when using social media. It also raises awareness that such actions are unacceptable, thereby educating the public,” — Aini Nadhirah, 22, Banda Aceh resident

Associated Press