Suspected Indonesian lesbians forced to undergo rehabilitation

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Two Indonesian women will undergo rehabilitation after they were arrested under suspicion of being lesbians.

The 18-year-old and 19-year-old women were detained earlier by Islamic Shariah police in Aceh province, known for its conservative Islamic laws.

The two, only known by their initials AS, 18 years old, and N, 19, were arrested after they were caught sitting and hugging on Tuesday, September 28th, at about 11pm.

Sharia Law Enforcement police chief Evendi Latief said both were arrested when officers patrolling Ulee Lheue, Banda Aceh caught the two women behaving suspiciously.

“Because they were sitting, embracing and hugging, officers immediately checked and we suspect they were a lesbian couple,” said Latief.

Photos on the women’s mobile phones also reportedly reinforced the police’s suspicions. Latief said the two eventually confessed to being a couple.

The two were released after days of questioning because a new criminal code that would have allowed for up to 100 cane lashes for homosexuality, is only set to be implemented later this month.

Instead, the couple will undergo rehabilitation, wherein they will speak to psychologists.

The arrest comes just weeks after West Aceh Sharia police arrested 9 transgender individuals at a contraceptive store and beauty salon for allegedly violating Sharia law. – Rappler.com

Arrested person in handcuffs image via Shutterstock