Jakarta – The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has spoken up to support Baiq Nuril Maknun, a resident of Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, who is facing jail time for defaming a man that allegedly harassed her.
NU legal division head Robikin Emhas said the largest Muslim organization hoped that the Supreme Court would release the 37-year-old after deliberating a case review she planned to file.
"I hope the reputation and dignity of Baiq Nuril Maknun can be restored in the case review verdict, just like the Mataram District Court [that had acquitted her]," he said in a statement as quoted by Antara.
Nuril was sentenced to six months in jail and fined Rp 500 million (US$33,749) after the Supreme Court found her guilty of defaming her alleged harasser, Muslim, the principal of the school where she worked, by spreading a recording of a phone conversation between the two.
Nuril said she recorded the conversation after he shared stories about his affairs with another woman multiple times. He had also asked her to meet in a hotel room for a tryst. The recording later spread to the school circle and local education agency, prompting Muslim's removal from his post. He then reported Nuril to the police for defamation.
Prosecutors have received the court order to jail her next week. If she refuses to surrender herself within a month, she will be arrested.
The case has sparked public debate on the safety of victims of sexual harassment should they choose to report their offenders or take any actions to defend themselves.