This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6528529.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Indonesia Playboy editor cleared | Indonesia Playboy editor cleared |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The editor of Playboy magazine in Indonesia has been acquitted of charges of publishing indecent material. | The editor of Playboy magazine in Indonesia has been acquitted of charges of publishing indecent material. |
Erwin Arnada oversaw photo shoots and selected revealing pictures for the US magazine, prosecutors argued, but the judge said they were not pornography. | |
Mr Arnada said the ruling proved "press freedom is respected in this country". | |
He had argued that the magazine, which went on sale last year, contained no nudity and was tamer than other Western-style magazines also available. | |
Muslim protesters who have forced the publishers to relocate to Bali said Thursday's verdict was "a bitter pill" and vowed to continue fighting against pornography. | |
Hundreds of police officers with water cannon surrounded the court house in anticipation of trouble. | |
Weeks of protests | |
The Indonesian version of the magazine went on sale for the first time last April, featuring several scantily-clad models but no nudity. | The Indonesian version of the magazine went on sale for the first time last April, featuring several scantily-clad models but no nudity. |
It drew weeks of protests, despite the fact that pornography is widely available in Indonesia. | It drew weeks of protests, despite the fact that pornography is widely available in Indonesia. |
We will keep fighting. Pornography is a moral crime that destroys the nation's faith Bachtiar AliMuslim protester | |
Muslim groups in particular were worried about its effect on local morals. | Muslim groups in particular were worried about its effect on local morals. |
The publishers - who brought out a second edition with similar content in June - had to move to Bali after their offices were stoned. | The publishers - who brought out a second edition with similar content in June - had to move to Bali after their offices were stoned. |
The row over Playboy is part of a wider debate in Indonesia about the country's indecency laws, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta. | The row over Playboy is part of a wider debate in Indonesia about the country's indecency laws, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta. |
In the wake of the controversy, activists filed a lawsuit against parliament over a controversial anti-pornography bill. | In the wake of the controversy, activists filed a lawsuit against parliament over a controversial anti-pornography bill. |
They said the legislation - which would make kissing in public and erotic dancing illegal - would impose strict Islamic values and threaten the country's reputation for tolerance. | They said the legislation - which would make kissing in public and erotic dancing illegal - would impose strict Islamic values and threaten the country's reputation for tolerance. |
Judge's reasons | |
Announcing the verdict on Mr Arnada, South Jakarta district court judge Efran Basyuning said the pictures "could not be categorised as pornography". | |
Shortly afterwards, Mr Arnada told a news conference the ruling was "a great gift for Playboy Indonesia because up until today for one year my friends and I worked under pressure". | |
Publishers of the magazine had to move location after threats | |
"Playboy Indonesia is grateful to the readers and advertisers who have supported the magazine through this difficult time," he said. He would have faced two years in prison, if convicted. | |
The prosecution were assessing their next moves, but a lawyer representing Muslim groups said: "The road which we will take is refiling the complaint not only against Playboy but also against other adult magazines." | |
Angry Islamists said they rejected the verdict. | |
"This is a bitter pill," the Associated Press news agency quoted Bachtiar Ali, one of the organisers, as saying. | |
"Do we have to wait until our wives and daughters are raped?" he said. "We will keep fighting. Pornography is a moral crime that destroys the nation's faith." |