In many liberal democracies, having an affair might be considered immoral, but it isn’t a crime that leads to state-prescribed penalties.
However, this isn’t the case everywhere in the world. Many countries incorporate religious laws, such as Sharia law, into their legal systems, where adultery is viewed as both a sin and a criminal offense, often carrying severe consequences like imprisonment or even death.
A recent article from Mindfully American explores 15 countries where cheating on your partner can land you in legal trouble. While some countries on the list might not be surprising, others might be unexpected.
Here are the 15 countries mentioned where adultery is a criminal offense:
1. Philippines
Committing adultery with anyone other than your spouse can result in jail time. It’s also possible to be jailed for sleeping with a married person, even if you yourself are not married.
Philippine law has different standards for men and women regarding adultery. Women face jail time for a single act of cheating, whereas men face consequences only if the cheating occurs “under scandalous circumstances”.
2. Indonesia
While there isn’t a specific written law against cheating from the government, the country, which is mostly Muslim, largely follows Sharia law.
Under Sharia law, cheating is considered a criminal offense. The punishments vary by province, ranging from flogging with lashes to being stoned to death.
3. Taiwan
Taiwan was among the last liberal democracies to criminalize adultery. Although the law was lifted in 2020 because it was deemed unconstitutional, over 1,000 people were convicted between 2016 and 2019.
Those convicted often faced prison sentences of up to four months per act. Despite the law being repealed, polls indicated that the majority of Taiwanese citizens favored keeping it.
4. Brunei
Historically, Brunei was against the death penalty. However, in 2019, the kingdom made adultery a capital crime, punishable by stoning offenders to death.
The law faced significant international outrage, leading Brunei’s Sultan to state that while the law exists, it would not be enforced.
5. Nigeria
Some northern states in Nigeria adhere to Sharia law, which designates adultery as a crime. Studies suggest enforcement in these areas can include stoning the offender to death.
However, legislators in Nigeria seem to rarely enforce these adultery laws. A notable case from 2003 involved a mother sentenced to death by stoning after giving birth more than nine months post-divorce, but her sentence was overturned following international outcry from human rights groups.
6. Afghanistan
In 2024, the ruling Taliban affirmed they would enforce Sharia laws concerning adultery. Reports indicate that people found cheating, particularly women, would be stoned.
The Supreme Leader of the Taliban stated they would “flog the women… stone them to death in public,” defending the decision as representing Allah’s will.
7. Saudi Arabia
As an Islamic state with a judicial system closely mirroring Sharia law, Saudi Arabia has flogged and stoned convicted adulterers in the past.
An example from 2015 saw one woman sentenced to death by stoning, while her male partner received only 100 lashes for the same offense.
8. Pakistan
Adultery is a crime in Pakistan and could technically lead to stoning to death. However, this harsh sentence has reportedly never been carried out since the country’s formation.
Instead, those caught cheating are more likely to face lengthy imprisonment. The 2006 “Protection of Women Act” further hindered adultery sentencing and resulted in the freeing of over 1,000 women facing adultery charges.
9. Sudan
Sudan’s criminal law subjects adulterers to capital punishment, including being stoned to death. Despite this, there is no evidence of the death penalty being carried out in recent years.
Nonetheless, women have been sentenced to death for alleged acts of adultery. While the government promised in 2015 to remove death by stoning as a consequence for adultery, human rights groups claim this hasn’t been done.
10. Uganda
Uganda no longer officially criminalizes cheating. However, evidence suggests that police in some areas still treat it as a criminal act.
A 2022 case involved the arrest and interrogation of two alleged adulterers by police. Although the officer was later charged with discreditable conduct, it appears some officials in the country still support criminalizing adultery.
11. Rwanda
According to Rwanda’s criminal code, adultery is a criminal offense. Both the cheating spouse and the person they cheat with can be prosecuted.
The punishment ranges from a hefty fine to a prison sentence of up to a year. If cheaters live together, the potential prison sentence can increase to up to two years.
12. Egypt
Egypt’s Penal Code 274 states that a woman convicted of adultery faces up to two years imprisonment. Men convicted of adultery are subject to a maximum of six months in prison.
Egyptian law also includes gender discrimination in how adultery is proven. Women are considered adulterers for any act of cheating, while men are only deemed guilty if they cheat inside their marital home.
13. The Maldives
Islam is the state religion, and the country closely follows Sharia law. Consequently, the punishment for adultery is flogging or stoning to death.
While women have been sentenced to death by stoning after adultery convictions, these sentences have often been reversed due to strong public outcry in headline-making cases.
14. Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Penal Code specifically addresses adultery. It stipulates that men who knowingly cheat with another man’s wife can face up to five years imprisonment.
Unlike many other countries, Bangladesh’s law does not punish the woman involved, explicitly stating, “The wife shall not be punished as an abettor”.
15. United States
Cheaters do not face federal punishment in the U.S.. However, sixteen individual states still make adultery a crime.
The offense can range from a misdemeanor to a felony. In some states, adultery carries a fine of up to $10,000, while in others, those found cheating could face imprisonment.
Alicia Richards