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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Amnesty: Risyad's Arrest Over Meme is Suppression of Criticism

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Amnesty International Indonesia demands the release of Risyad, admin of the @TheKerupuk social media account, arrested for allegedly criticizing the government via a meme.
  • Amnesty claims the arrest was unlawful, citing a lack of a warrant and difficulties in accessing legal counsel, calling it a "criminalization of digital freedom of expression."
  • The organization urges the police to drop the charges, arguing that peaceful expression, including satire and memes, should not be a criminal offense and violates human rights.

Amnesty International Indonesia is calling for the immediate release of Risyad, also known as Icad, the administrator of the social media account @TheKerupuk. Risyad was designated a suspect by the Tangerang City Metropolitan Police after posting a meme perceived as critical of the government. The organization strongly condemns what it terms an "arbitrary arrest" of Risyad, stating that police allegedly failed to present an arrest warrant.

We strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest of the admin of the X account @TheKerupuk simply for posting a meme that allegedly criticizes the government.

— Usman HamidExecutive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, commenting on the arrest.

Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, asserted that Risyad was still considered a witness when apprehended and that authorities hindered his access to legal representation. Amnesty views Risyad's arrest as a clear instance of "criminalizing freedom of expression in the digital space." The group maintains that peaceful expression, regardless of how offensive it might be perceived, including through art, satire, political memes, or parody, does not constitute a criminal act.

Peaceful expression, however offensive, whether through art, including satire, political memes, or parody, is not a criminal offense.

— Usman HamidStating Amnesty's position on freedom of expression.

Furthermore, Amnesty argues that the arrest contravenes the spirit of Constitutional Court Decision Number 115/PUU-XXII/2024. This ruling clarified that online disturbances or riots do not fall under criminal offenses as defined by Law Number 1 of 2024, which amends Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE Law). The organization is pressing the Indonesian National Police to unconditionally release the @TheKerupuk admin and cease the investigation.

The National Police must immediately order the Tangerang City Metro Police to release the admin of the @TheKerupuk account unconditionally and halt the investigation.

— Usman HamidDemanding action from the police.

"The National Police must immediately order the Tangerang City Metro Police to release the admin of the @TheKerupuk account unconditionally and halt the investigation," Usman stated. Amnesty also contends that the use of ITE Law articles to silence criticism must cease, labeling such actions as human rights violations. Previously, the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) reported Risyad's arrest, noting that eight to ten police officers took him to the Tangerang City Metro Police headquarters. Although initially detained, Risyad was released the following afternoon, July 16, 2026. His lawyer confirmed Risyad faces charges under Article 32 Paragraph (1) and Article 35 of the ITE Law for alleged unlawful manipulation or alteration of electronic documents, related to the satirical meme posted on @TheKerupuk.

This is a violation of human rights.

— Usman HamidDescribing the implications of the arrest.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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