Arrests over posts on Prabowo’s Iran remark raise free speech alarm
The two men were arrested over online comments about the President's controversial remark on Iran’s nuclear capability, which the police allege breach certain provisions on provocation and incitement in the ITE Law.
Two men, AYP, 49, and AF, 40, were arrested in West Java over online comments regarding President Prabowo Subianto's statement about Iran's nuclear weapons. The police claim the remarks breach provisions on provocation and incitement in the ITE Law. The arrests have alarmed free speech advocates, who fear more restrictions could create a culture of fear.
The incident followed a complaint filed on August 4 by an unnamed complainant alleging the posts threatened national unity and security. The controversy arose from Prabowo's live-streamed speech on July 31 at a Chamber of Commerce and Industry event, where he stated Iran already possesses nuclear weapons. This assertion sparked widespread criticism and drew parallels to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
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