Slander Suspect Uploads Photos Of Ahok's Wife With Animals

One of the suspects for insulting Ahok (Photo: Rizky Adytia Pramana / VOI)

JAKARTA - The police have named two defamation suspects against Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) and his family. The perpetrators with the initials KS (67) and EJ (47) were charged with juxtaposing a photo of Ahok's wife, Puput Nastiti Devi, with an animal accompanied by a narrative of insults in uploads on social media.

Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Yusri Yunus said the two suspects uploaded photos and narrative of the insult on two Instagram accounts, namely @ ito.kurnia and the account @ an7a_s679.

"First he (KS) juxtaposed a photo of Basuki's wife with an animal and juxtaposed with several existing sentences. That has entered into the elements of defamation," Yusri told reporters, Thursday, July 30.

The insulting post also targeted other Ahok family members. Yusri said that the insult had been repeated many times.

"Some of the insults and insults there were for Pak Basuki's family and his parents with inappropriate sentences that offended the reporter," said Yusri.

Because of their actions, the two suspects were charged under Article 27 paragraph 3 and Article 45 paragraph 3 Law Number 11 Year 2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE). Both face a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison.

The two suspects were arrested by police at different locations. KS was secured by Bali, while the suspect EJ was in Medan, North Sumatra.

The arrests were made after the police moved to follow up on Ahok's lawyer on May 17. From the results of the investigation, the perpetrator claimed to be a supporter of Veronica Tan, Ahok's ex-wife.