The public caning occurred at a mosque before hundreds of onlookers in the city of Jantho.
The women were spotted selling rice at noon during Ramadan when the faithful are expected to fast. This would not have been a crime before 2005 when Sharia law was introduced in Aceh.
One of the Sharia regulations states: “Whosoever prepares facilities for Muslims that do not fulfill religious standards during the fasting month of Ramadan faces either a year in jail, a fine of Rp 3 million ($340) or being caned in front of an audience for a maximum of six times.”
Source: Daily Mail