Rock Star Ahmad Dhani Named Hate Speech Suspect
Jakarta. Indonesian rock star Dhani Ahmad Prasetyo, popularly known as Ahmad Dhani, has been declared a suspect for allegedly spreading hate speech on social media, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said on Tuesday (28/11).
A member of the public, Jack Lapian, reported the singer to police in April this year for allegedly violating the 2016 Electronic Information and Transactions Law.
The complaint against Dhani involves a tweet he made in March regarding supporters of former Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who is currently serving a two-year prison sentence for blasphemy.
Dhani allegedly wrote: "Whoever supports a religious blasphemer is a scoundrel who must be spat in the face."
Siapa saja yg dukung Penista Agama adalah Bajingan yg perlu di ludahi muka nya - ADP
— Dhani Ahmad Prasetyo (@AHMADDHANIPRAST) March 6, 2017
He allegedly made the tweet during this year's heated Jakarta gubernatorial election, in support of Anies Baswedan, who subsequently won.
In his complaint, Jack alleges that Dhani's statement constituted hate speech. He confirmed to Beritasatu.com that police took the decision to declare Dhani a suspect on Nov. 23.
"Dhani will be questioned as a suspect this Thursday," Jack said.
The singer, who has had political ambitions of his own, faces six years in prison or a Rp 1 billion ($75,000) fine if found guilty.
He gained notoriety during the run-up to the 2014 presidential election, after producing a campaign video for the Prabowo Subianto camp in which he wore what appeared to be Nazi regalia.
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