A court in Medan, Indonesia, has sentenced Ratu Thalisa, a TikTok content creator, to 2 years and 10 months in prison for words considered defamatory to the Christian religion.
Thalisa, who was previously a man but has since transitioned, made derogatory comments about the image of Jesus Christ, saying that Jesus “should have been like a respectful man with a beard.” She made these remarks in a video posted on TikTok, where she often shares her thoughts on social media.
This led various Christian groups to file a lawsuit, requesting a harsh penalty. The court confirmed that her actions disturbed public peace and religious harmony in the country. She was also fined $6,200.
Thalisa was sentenced under a law introduced in 2008 aimed at combating internet crimes. However, human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the decision, arguing that it violates freedom of expression.
The prosecution was not satisfied with the sentence and immediately appealed, asking for a harsher penalty for Thalisa.
