Medieval justice... in the 21st Century: Woman caned in front of a baying mob for having an affair



A woman flinches as she is about to be repeatedly caned for having an extramarital affair.

Irdayanti Mukhtar, 34, received nine lashes by Sharia Police for having a relationship with another man, even though she is said to be in the process of divorcing her husband.

The harsh punishment was meted out in front of a crowd of 200 people outside the Al Munawwarah Mosque in Jantho, Indonesia.

Brutal: An Indonesian official prepares to whip Irdavanti Mukhtar as another announces to the crowd what her punishment she will receive

The jeering crowd recorded the brutal beating on their mobile phones and camcorders and shouted for more beatings in the strict Muslim city.



Mukhtar had been sentenced to the punishment the previous day by a Sharia court where prosecutors said that she was guilty of being in 'close proximity' to another man.

Under Sharia law the offence carries a maximum beating of nine strokes with a cane or a minimum of three.

Sharia Officials carry Mukhtar who collapsed after the caning to a local hospital

Neighbours had seen Mukhtar with the man and had barged in on her while the couple were in her bedroom, although it is unclear what they were actually doing.

The mob then dragged them to the local police station to be charged.



It is believed Sharia Police are also investigating a claim that Mukhtar was molested by the crowd before they took her to be charged.



Shortly after the caning on Friday Mukhtar passed out and had to be taken to hospital for treatment.



She was one of four people, including the man she was caught with, to be caned for extramarital affairs.