Couple publicly caned after alleged TikTok kiss sparks outrage in Indonesia

A young mates successful Indonesia was publically caned Thursday aft allegedly kissing during a TikTok livestream.

The mates — a 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old female — each received 21 lashes, according to nan Associated Press (AP).

They were reportedly convicted of violating section morality laws nether an Islamic law tribunal successful Indonesia’s blimpish Aceh province. 

The pair, who were detained successful March, had already spent 4 months successful situation anterior to nan punishment, which yet reduced their condemnation from 25 lashes to 21, nan AP said. 

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Shariah rule officials assistance an unmarried woman, convicted of violating Islamic rule by kissing during a TikTok livestream, to get up aft being publically caned, successful Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Reza Saifullah)

According to section authorities, nan mates filmed a TikTok video wrong a car 1 nighttime successful March.

As nan video went viral, they were subsequently apprehended for what officials described arsenic an "immoral act." 

"Their actions were uncovered acknowledgment to reports from residents who were disturbed by their obscene livestream content," Sharia constabulary said successful April. 

"The trigger was their livestream connected TikTok while engaging successful obscene acts successful nan car," Head of nan Sharia Police Muhammad Rizal added successful his statement. "This sparked disapproval from netizens and section residents, who past reported them to nan authorities."

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A man is publically caned aft he was convicted of violating Islamic rule by kissing during a TikTok livestream, successful Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Reza Saifullah)

The tribunal besides confiscated a cellphone and a USB flash thrust containing nan TikTok video, which authorities promised to destroy, according to nan AP.

A Banda Aceh resident who attended nan caning, 22-year-old Aini Nadhirah, said she believed nan reward was "entirely justified."

"In my opinion, this caning is wholly justified because it serves arsenic a informing to different Aceh residents to beryllium much observant erstwhile utilizing societal media," Nadhirah said, according to nan AP.

"It besides raises consciousness that specified actions are unacceptable, thereby educating nan public."

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Aceh is nan only state successful Muslim-majority Indonesia that enforces its ain Islamic Criminal Code governing civilized conduct. 

The province’s correct to instrumentality Islamic rule was granted by Indonesia’s secular cardinal authorities astir 2005 arsenic portion of a bid woody to extremity a separatist insurgency. The argumentation was later expanded to use to non-Muslims arsenic well. 

Under nan law, civilized offenses — including fornication and same-sex relations — tin transportation penalties of up to 100 lashes. Caning is besides utilized for individuals accused of gambling, drinking, fornication and premarital intimacy. 

Shariah rule officials escort a female convicted of violating Islamic rule by kissing a man, some unmarried, during a TikTok livestream aft her nationalist caning, successful Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Reza Saifullah)

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Public caning successful Aceh has agelong drawn disapproval from quality authorities groups, including Amnesty International Indonesia, which has called nan believe sadistic and degrading.

Despite Indonesia having ratified world conventions prohibiting sadistic punishment, section authorities successful Aceh take sides nan practice, arguing it does not autumn nether specified definition. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.