A video showing a woman being publicly flogged after being convicted of alleged adultery in Libya has sparked widespread outrage, with human rights groups condemning the manner in which the punishment was carried out.
The incident took place in Sabha, southern Libya, where the woman was punished after being found guilty of zina, a legal and religious term under Libyan law referring to sexual relations outside a recognised marriage.
In the viral footage, a man is seen reading what was described as a ruling from the Sabha Criminal Court before uniformed Judicial Police officers repeatedly flogged the woman, who remained seated with her face and body covered. Security vehicles were visible at the scene.
The National Institution for Human Rights in Libya (NIHRL) has since criticised the incident, describing it as a “dangerous precedent” and comparing it to practices associated with extremist organisations.
The group also questioned why the woman was reportedly punished alone, alleging that her alleged male partner was not subjected to the same treatment.
It further accused the Sabha Criminal Court of ordering public floggings exclusively against women.
In Sabha city of Libya , a woman is whipped publicly for having sex outside marriage ( spinster ) according to Islamic law
— Azlannnn (@Shaibu_AO) July 25, 2026
If she was married, she would have been stoned to death pic.twitter.com/I5Tg3QAOCn
