Gay couple in Indonesia face 80 lashes each as punishment for having sex

Two men in Indonesia face caning as punishment after they were caught having sex. Prosecutors, who demanded at least 80 lashes each for both, said the couple had admitted to being in a homosexual relationship.

A Shariah court in the country's Aceh province is due to announce the verdict next week. The couple were arrested in late March by neighbourhood vigilantes in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh.

Aceh is reportedly the only province in the Muslim-majority country that practises the strict Shariah law.

Homosexuality, infidelity, gambling and drinking alcohol are all considered moral offences and can invite a maximum of 100 lashes as punishment. Women who wear body-hugging clothes and men who skip Friday prayers can also be subjected to the same punishment.

The two men, aged 20 and 23, were reportedly filmed having sex by neighbourhood vigilantes, who produced the video as evidence in court.

The video was also shared online, which shows one of the men naked. He is seen trying to make calls seeking help, while his partner is seen being pushed repeatedly by a man in an attempt to prevent the couple from leaving the room, the Associated Press reported. The two men were reportedly also beaten by the vigilantes.

Lead prosecutor in the case, Gulmaini, confirmed on Wednesday (10 May) that the two men had "confessed" to being in a gay relationship and there was video footage and other evidence found in their rented room to support the allegations. He also told reporters that the men rejected the court's offer to appoint a defence lawyer.

If convicted, the couple will become the first to be caned as punishment for gay sex under a new Shariah law implemented in the province two years ago, the AP reported.

Soon after their arrest a month ago, Human Rights Watch demanded their immediate release and accused the authorities of invading the men's privacy. "These men had their privacy invaded in a frightening and humiliating manner and now face public torture for the 'crime' of their alleged sexual orientation," a statement read.

This incident will deal yet another blow to the moderate image of Indonesia after the country came in for criticism for sentencing a minority Christian governor on blasphemy charges. The country is currently divided over the issue, with many rights groups demanding withdrawal of the two-year jail sentence for Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok.