Two women whipped six times at Terengganu Syariah High Court

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The two accused being escorted out of the court. Bernama photo

 

KUALA TERENGGANU: The two women who pleaded guilty to attempting to have same-sex relations in a car were caned six times at the Terengganu Syariah High Court here today.

The sentence, which was the first for such an offence in the country, was conducted in a courtroom and was witnessed by more than 100 people , including family members, lawyers and from the media.

After a medical officer confirmed the health status of the accused and that  they were ready to be whipped, the women, aged 32 and 22, were led to a stool at the corner of the courtroom with their back facing those in the public gallery.

When the cane hit the back of the accused, no cries were heard because the prison officers had to follow the rules set that is using medium force and the cane should not be swung from a level above the head of the accused.

The older woman was seen with tears streaming down her face after the caning was done while the younger woman was trying to hold back her tears after being whipped for the third time.

The sentence was carried out in turns beginning 10.10 am within a period of not more than 3 minutes each.

On Aug 12, the Syariah High Court fined the women RM3,300 and ordered that they be caned six times each after they pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual acts in a car at Dataran Arena Square, Dungun, at 1.50 pm on April 8.

The were charged under Section 30 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Takzir) (Terengganu) 2001, read together with Section 59 (1) of the same enactment for committing “musahaqah” (sexual relations between women).

The women were supposed to have been caned on Aug 28 but had their sentence postponed to today. – Bernama