APSN Banner

Artist attacked during peaceful protest against religious violence

Source
Jakarta Globe - February 15, 2012

Anita Rachman – An Indonesian artist is the latest person to fall victim to hard-line religious organizations after he was attacked during a peaceful protest outside the headquarters of Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia's office in Yogyakarta on Wednesday.

Bramantyo Prijosusilo, an East Java-based artist and journalist who has published a number of opinion pieces in the Jakarta Globe, was attacked by dozens of MMI members and supporters during a perfomance piece titled 'Membanting Macan Kerah'.

Bramantyo told the Globe the performance was intended to inspire people to fight against radicalism, anarchy, intimidation and violence.

He said his glasses were broken in the attack but his injuries were not serious. The MMI – once headed by convicted terrorist Abu Bakar Bashir before he was ousted in a power struggle – has filed blasphemy charges against the artist and called on him to apologize. "Of course I won't apologize," he said.

Bramantyo is currently being held at the Bantul Police station while police process the charges.

Country