A group of amorous couples and alleged sex workers were publicly whipped for breaking Islamic law in Indonesia's Aceh Friday, just a week after the province pledged to move the widely condemned practice indoors.
More than a thousand people, including dozens of tourists from neighbouring Malaysia, jeered and screamed abuse at the group as they were flogged outside a mosque in the capital Banda Aceh.
Thousands of people hurled abuses and jeered at the group being flogged (AFP)
The three men and five women -- who included several college students -- were found guilty of violating religious law by either showing affection in public or for offering sexual services online, officials said.
The conservative region on the northern tip of Sumatra island passed a regulation a week ago that would see criminals whipped only behind prison walls. It was not clear when the new rule would come into effect.
Rights groups have derided it as cruel and last year President Joko Widodo called for an end to public whippings in Aceh.
The new rule has generated protests from conservative groups who see public whippings as having a strong deterrent effect on crime.
"We understand that the regulation has not yet come into effect and the prison is not yet ready to (host floggings) so that is why we are still doing it" in public, he said.
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