Indonesia: Admin Arrested Over Government Memes, Lawyer Cites Improper Procedure

Risyad, the administrator of the social media account @TheKerupuk, has been declared a suspect by the Tangerang Kota Resort Police for allegedly uploading memes that offended the government. His lawyer, Daniel Winarta of LBH Jakarta, asserted that the arrest procedure was flawed. Risyad was initially detained but was later released and is now subject to mandatory reporting.

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Around 4:30 PM, Mas Risyad was released from the Tangerang Police. His status is a suspect, but he was not detained.

LBH Jakarta detailed a sequence of events beginning Monday afternoon, July 14, 2026, when unidentified individuals visited Risyad's boarding house. Risyad and his wife initially mistook them for delivery couriers. Later that evening, around 6:30 PM, Risyad and his wife were intercepted by approximately ten individuals as they were leaving to buy groceries. These individuals, who had reportedly gathered at the local neighborhood head's house, questioned Risyad's identity and residency status.

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Not one of them introduced themselves or explained their intention to meet with Icad.

Despite claims of possessing a police warrant, the group allegedly refused to present any official documentation. Risyad and his wife requested to speak with the officers in the parking lot for visibility, but the police reportedly insisted on speaking inside Risyad's room. According to LBH Jakarta, police entered the boarding house premises with local officials and proceeded into Risyad's room, recording the interaction despite the wife's objections. Risyad was subsequently arrested and taken to the Tangerang Kota Metro Police, initially as a witness. His legal counsel was reportedly denied private consultation, with police insisting on supervising any conversation.

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The police ignored her, even telling her to go into the bathroom if she felt uncomfortable. However, the wife chose to stay in front of her room door.