Fachrul Sidiq, Jakarta – A Jakarta-based rights group, the Institute of Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR), has criticized the Jakarta Police for detaining Augie Fantinus, a radio presenter, for alleged defamation against the police force.
Augie has been detained since Friday after on Thursday he posted a video on his Instagram account of a police officer allegedly offering him a ticket to enter a basketball match at the Asian Para Games 2018 in Jakarta.
On Sunday, The Jakarta Post checked his Instagram account but could not find the video.
In the video, which has been widely reshared on other social media platforms by other users, Augie described the officer as calo, a local term for ticket scalper.
Augie faces a maximum of six years' imprisonment if found guilty of violating Article 27 point 3 and Article 28 point 2 of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law.
ICJR executive director Anggara said the detention was an exaggerated move by the police.
"An arrest should be based on sufficient evidence. It can also be carried out if the suspect tries to escape, destroy evidence or attempt to commit a similar act," he said on Sunday.
Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Roma Hutajulu acknowledged that the officer in the video was his subordinate, but denied Augie's claim.
"He's not a calo. After I checked, he wanted to refund the ticket to the ticket box and was not intending to sell it to any visitors," Roma said as quoted by kompas.com.
On Friday night, the police said they had also confiscated Augie's phone. (evi)