A woman was publicly flogged in Sabha, southern Libya, after being convicted of zina—a legal and religious offence referring to sexual relations outside a legally recognized marriage.

The punishment, reportedly carried out by the local Judicial Police, was captured on video and widely shared on social media, drawing condemnation from human rights groups.

The footage shows a man reading what was described as a court ruling before a Judicial Police officer repeatedly flogged the woman, who was seated on the ground with her face and body covered. Security vehicles were seen at the scene.

The National Institution for Human Rights in Libya (NIHRL) condemned the incident, describing it as a dangerous precedent and likening it to practices associated with extremist groups. The organization also alleged that the woman was punished without her alleged partner facing similar consequences and accused the Sabha Criminal Court of disproportionately ordering public floggings against women.