THREE members of Aceh’s “morality” police in the Indonesian Muslim province of Aceh have been accused ofÂ gang-raping and torturing a 20-year-oldÂ female student just over a week ago.

Aceh’s Shariah Police deputy commander said:



We are enraged by this. We are ashamed by their actions. The shock is still there. The actions of these three individuals have marred the image of Shariah Police in the eyes of the Acehnese forever.

He added:

They should have been role models for upholding Islamic law but their actions did not in any way reflect the behavior of men of honour.

Police have arrested two of the alleged rapists, members of the Wilayatul Hisbah or Sharia Police, and are tracking down a third officer, who has already been declared a suspect.

The three officers had allegedly taken turns raping the 20-year-old student in a police detention cell after arresting her for allegedly engaging in an immoral act with her boyfriend.

Both the girl and her boyfriend were brought in by police and questioned over the alleged violation of the Shariah Public Indecency Law 2003.

According to this report, a medical examination confirmed that the victim had been grievously sexually assaulted and that she had suffered a severe hemorrhage as a result of the rape.

In 2003, Aceh province opened its first shariah court, which implements laws based on Islamic teachings – including the stoning of women for adultery.Â These laws cover almost all elements of life in the province, including obligating Muslim women to wear a jilbab. Any Muslim who breaks these rules can be sentenced to a public caning or a fine.

Hat Tip: Alan H