Banda Aceh – The implementation of law in Aceh has almost come to a halt as many judges have fled the province because of security concerns.

Three of 18 district courts in Aceh's 13 regencies – in Sigli, Bireuen and Tapaktuan, have no judge at all. Two district courts have three judges – the minimum number required to form a panel of judges, while the other courts have only one or two judges each, an official at the Banda Aceh High Court, Teuku Darwin, was quoted on Friday by Antara as saying.

He said that judges in Calang district court, West Aceh, will also leave soon because of the worsening security situation in the troubled province.

The "exodus" of judges started two years ago. Mid last year the high court proposed the appointment of new judges in the province. The Supreme Court agreed and appointed 38 new judges. But after a few months, they left because of security reasons. "They said they could not work because they were worried about the lack of security," he said.

Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh has reportedly asked the Supreme Court to send new judges to help the judicial process function in Aceh.