Indonesia TikTok Kiss Punishment
Indonesian Sharia Court Orders 21 Public Lashes for Couple Kissing on TikTok
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A couple in Indonesia received 21 lashes each in a public flogging after they kissed during a live TikTok stream. KPLC TV reported that a sharia court — a court that applies Islamic religious law — found them guilty of violating local moral codes.
The punishment was carried out in the province of Aceh, the only region in Indonesia where sharia law is enforced at a government level. Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country, but Aceh holds a unique legal status that allows these kinds of sentences.
A TikTok Kiss That Led to a Court Sentence
The couple was streaming live on TikTok when they kissed on camera. That footage was used as evidence against them. According to KTTC, the sharia court ruled the act violated the region's strict public morality laws, which ban unmarried couples from showing physical affection in public or online.
The pair were found guilty and sentenced to 21 lashes each. The flogging was carried out in front of a crowd, as is standard practice for sharia punishments in Aceh. Public floggings are meant to serve as a warning to others in the community.
How Sharia Law Works in Aceh Province
Aceh gained the right to enforce sharia law in 2001 as part of a peace deal with the Indonesian government. Since then, local authorities have used it to police behavior like gambling, drinking alcohol, and physical contact between unmarried men and women.
Flogging is one of the most common punishments handed down by Aceh's sharia courts. The number of lashes depends on the severity of the offense. Twenty-one lashes is on the higher end for a first-time moral violation, according to KPLC TV.
Public Floggings Draw International Criticism
Human rights groups have long condemned public floggings in Aceh. Critics say the practice is cruel and humiliating. The punishments are often carried out in town squares or outside mosques, where large crowds gather to watch.
This case stands out because social media played a direct role. The TikTok livestream was the evidence that triggered the arrest and conviction. KWCH noted that authorities in Aceh have increasingly monitored online platforms to enforce sharia morality rules.
Social Media Creates New Risk for Couples in Aceh
The case is a warning about how online behavior can have real-world legal consequences in Aceh. A kiss that might go unnoticed in private became a public record the moment it was streamed live. That digital footprint gave authorities clear proof to act on.
Aceh's sharia enforcement officers, known as the Wilayatul Hisbah, actively patrol both streets and the internet. This case shows that TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms are now part of their watch. For residents of Aceh, going viral could mean facing a court.
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