TikToker is jailed for two years for video showing her recite Islamic prayer before eating pork in Muslim-majority Indonesia
TikToker sentenced to two years in prison for video showing her reciting an Islamic prayer before eating pork in predominantly Muslim Indonesia
- Lina Mukherjee found guilty of blasphemy by Sumatran court
A TikTok user has been jailed for two years in Indonesia over a video of her reciting an Islamic prayer before eating pork, which has drawn widespread condemnation in the predominantly Muslim country.
In the video, Lina Mukherjee grimaces as she says a Muslim prayer that translates to “in the name of God” before consuming a crispy pork skin.
The 33-year-old was reported by a resident over the video, which has racked up millions of views on the social media platform.
The influencer was found guilty of “disseminating information aimed at inciting hatred against specific religious individuals and groups” by a court in Palembang city.
Mukherjee, who is a self-proclaimed Muslim, was also fined heavily over the clip, ordered to pay 250 million rupees (£13,000).
Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world and has strict laws against blasphemy. Pork is considered “haram,” or forbidden, under Islam.
The influencer, who identifies as Muslim, makes a disgusted face while trying the crispy pork skin
After the trial, Lina told reporters that she was surprised by the verdict.
“I know I’m wrong but I didn’t expect this punishment,” Lina told local news channel MetroTV.
Mukherjee received severe backlash for the video, posted in March, from conservative groups in the country.
Indonesia’s highest Muslim religious body, the Indonesian Ulema Council, deemed the video blasphemous.
The popular content creator has two TikTok accounts, the largest with over 2.2 million followers.
It is the latest high-profile case in a series of blasphemy convictions in recent years.
Last year, six people were arrested after a bar chain promoted free alcohol for customers named Mohammed.
Lina Mukherjee says a Muslim prayer which translates to “in the name of God” before consuming the crispy pork skin
Lina Lutfiawati, also known as Lina Mukherjee, performs for the camera in the music video she posted in March
The influencer grimaces while trying the pork. She is popular on TikTok for her videos that show her trying various dishes.
And in 2017, the former Christian governor of Jakarta was put behind bars after being accused of insulting Islam, charges widely seen as politically motivated.
Human rights activists have sharply criticized the strict laws, arguing that they disproportionately target minorities.
Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said the blasphemy article in Indonesian law had been misused to target minority groups and dissidents.
“This contravenes Indonesia’s international obligations to respect and protect freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, as well as freedom of opinion and expression,” he said. he declares.