Celeb sex-tape scandal hits Indonesia
JAKARTA, June 14 - Indonesians grappled with their first-ever celebrity sex-tape scandal, casting aside social taboos as they swarmed around office computers and mobile phones to watch clips allegedly showing a much-loved pop star with two girlfriends.The story topped newscasts for a week and dominated chatter on social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. But just as controversial was the reaction of officials in the newly democratic nation.
Police threatened to charge the “stars” under a strict anti-pornography law, which could land them in jail for up to 10 years.
The first six-minute video clip appears to show pop singer Nazril Irham, better known as Ariel, in bed with his girlfriend Luna Maya, a top model, actress and, up until the scandal, the face of Lux beauty soap.
The two deny it was them, saying the footage was doctored, but they were called in for questioning by police.
Brig. Zainuri Lubis, the deputy national police spokesman, said Monday the probe was ongoing.
If found guilty of violating a tough anti-pornography law, they could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of US$500,000 (euro410,796), even if there was no indication the intimate, but explicit, sex scenes were ever intended for public viewing.
Local media said the video started appearing in early June after Ariel’s laptop was stolen and many similar tapes, with other celebrities, were still out there.
Then a second eight-minute video emerged, purportedly showing Ariel with a former girlfriend, also a well-liked model and television presenter, further fanning public appetite for more.
As the tapes were downloaded onto Facebook and YouTube (they have since been removed by the sites’ administrator) and distributed from mobile phone to mobile phone, the country tottered on the verge of sexual hysteria. - AP
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