German tourists in bathing suits detained in Indonesia's Aceh
Jakarta - Two German tourists saw their Indonesian holiday briefly suspended when they were caught in bathing suits on a beach in Aceh province, which is under strict Islamic sharia law, local media reported Wednesday.
Officers were dispatched after a tip-off from locals Tuesday, "but the two foreign tourists were already clothed" by the time officers reached Ujong Blang beach, M Irsyadi, the head of sharia police in Lhokseumawe, according to state news agency Antara.
The tourists were taken to the police station, reminded to observe local sharia law, which they said they did not know about, and returned to their hotel, he said.
"Wearing a bikini on the beach clearly is a violation of the 2002 sharia bylaw on belief, ritual and promoting Islam," which requires modest dress and headscarves for women, Irsyadi was quoted assaying.
Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that implements sharia due toits special autonomy status.
- DPA
