Female gamblers caned in Indonesia

Local authorities in Indonesia caned women Friday for the first time after they were accused of illegal gambling in the conservative Islamic province of Aceh.

More than 1,000 people gathered after Friday prayers to watch as four women were struck in the back with rattan canes, each receiving seven blows, Alias Abubakar, aThe first women gamblers caned in Muslim Indonesia for first time¤

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) _ Indonesia caned women Friday for the first time after they were accused of illegal gambling in the staunchly conservative province of Aceh.

More than 1,000 people gathered after Friday prayers to watch as four women were struck in the back with rattan canes, each receiving seven blows, Alias Abubakar, an official in the central town of Takengon told private-radio El-Shinta.

Authorities confiscated 65,000 rupiah (US$7, Ђ5) from the women, who were found guilty of betting on card games, he said.

Aceh is the only province in Muslim Indonesia that has implemented Shariah, or Islamic law.

The region enjoys semiautonomy from the central government because of a long-running separatist war that _ everyone hopes _ ended with the signing of a peace agreement Monday in Finland.

Indonesia has a policy of secularism, and attempts by religious hard-liners to have Islamic law, including corporal punishment, adopted nationally have failed.

The first caning in Aceh occurred in June, with the flogging of 15 men convicted of gambling n official in the central town of Takengon told private-radio El-Shinta.

Authorities confiscated 65,000 rupiah (US$7, Ђ5) from the women, who were found guilty of betting on card games, he said.

Aceh is the only province in Muslim Indonesia that has implemented Shariah, or Islamic law.

The region enjoys semiautonomy from the central government because of a long-running separatist war that - everyone hopes - ended with the signing of a peace agreement Monday in Finland.

Indonesia has a policy of secularism, and attempts by religious hard-liners to have Islamic law, including corporal punishment, adopted nationally have failed.

The first caning in Aceh occurred in June, with the flogging of 15 men convicted of gambling, the AP reports.