DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesia: Meme arrest sparks free speech outcry

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Amnesty International Indonesia calls for the release of Risyad, administrator of the @TheKerupuk social media account, arrested for posting a government-critical meme.
  • The organization condemns the arrest as an "unlawful" criminalization of free expression, citing police failure to produce a warrant and obstruction of legal counsel.
  • Amnesty urges Indonesian police to release Risyad unconditionally and cease using the ITE Law to silence criticism, asserting it violates human rights.

Amnesty International Indonesia is demanding the immediate release of Risyad, known as Icad, the administrator of the social media account @TheKerupuk. Risyad was named a suspect by Tangerang Metropolitan Police after posting a meme that allegedly criticized the government.

We strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest of the administrator of the X account @TheKerupuk simply for posting a meme allegedly criticizing the government.

— Usman HamidAmnesty International Indonesia Executive Director condemning the arrest.

Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid decried Risyad's arrest as unlawful, highlighting that police allegedly failed to present an arrest warrant. "We strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest of the administrator of the X account @TheKerupuk simply for posting a meme allegedly criticizing the government," Usman stated. He added that Risyad was considered a witness during his apprehension and was prevented from meeting with his lawyer.

Peaceful expression, no matter how offensive, whether through art, including satire, political memes, or parody, is not a crime.

— Usman HamidAmnesty International Indonesia's stance on freedom of expression.

The organization views Risyad's arrest as a direct "criminalization of freedom of expression in the digital space." Amnesty asserts that peaceful expression, including satire, political memes, or parody, should not be considered a crime, regardless of how offensive it might be perceived. This stance aligns with a recent Constitutional Court decision that clarified social media disturbances do not automatically constitute criminal offenses under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.

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

— Usman HamidAmnesty International Indonesia's demand to the police.

SAFEnet reported that Risyad was escorted by eight to ten police officers to the Tangerang City Metro Police Headquarters. Although briefly detained, he was released as a suspect on July 16, 2026. Lawyers stated that Risyad faces charges related to alleged manipulation or unlawful alteration of electronic documents under the ITE Law, stemming from the satirical meme criticizing government policy. The lack of a warrant during the arrest has been labeled an "illegal arrest" by legal representatives.

This is a violation of human rights.

— Usman HamidAmnesty International Indonesia's assessment of the situation.
DistantNews Editorial

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

More Stories

From Our Blog