Young Muslim woman savagely lashed 23 times for being in ‘close proximity’ to her boyfriend (Photos)

A woman screams in pain as she is caned in public after breaking strict Islamic laws.

She was one of 13 people to be punished in the ultra orthodox Indonesian province of Aceh, with hundreds of people cheering.

Each was given between nine and 25 strikes according to the severity of their crime.

They were found guilty of inappropriate acts , including khalwat (affectionate contact by an unmarried couple) and ikhtilat (intimacy or mixing) in violation of Islamic bylaws, according to the Antara news agency.

The caning of a fourteenth woman, aged 22, has been delayed as she is currently pregnant.

Deputy mayor Zainal Arifin told Antara: “Caning sentences have been enforced many times in the city of Banda Aceh.

“This proves that the government and the people of Banda Aceh are committed to implementing and enforcing the sharia.”

It introduced sharia law after being granted special autonomy in 2001.

An increasing number of people are being punished with caning in Aceh and the number of women being caned has risen in particular, according to the Guardian .

Despite 90 per cent of Indonesians describing themselves as Muslim, the majority only practise moderately.

-TheMirror