Indonesian Couple Sentenced to 21 Lashes for TikTok Kiss

In Aceh, Indonesia, a 22‑year‑old man and his 25‑year‑old partner were sentenced by a sharia court to 21 lashes each after they kissed during a live TikTok broadcast. The punishment was carried out in front of an audience of about 100 people, as the court deemed their public display contrary to Islamic law.

Both defendants gave statements after the flogging, expressing remorse amid intense social pressure. The case has drawn criticism from international human‑rights groups, sparking debate over religious courts’ reach into modern digital media.