Eight gay club workers jailed in Indonesia
JAKARTA: An Indonesian court has sentenced at least eight men arrested in a raid on a gay club and sauna to between two and three years in prison, an activist and a relative of one of the men said.
They were among more than 140 men detained after the raid in May on what police said was a sex party at the Atlantis spa in Jakarta.
Most were released because homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, but 10 men were charged under antipornography laws.
Police have raided gay clubs and private parties, charging those arrested under Indonesia’s broad antipornography laws and forcing some men to take HIV tests.
Imam Shofwan from Pantau Foundation, which has been monitoring the trial, said the sentencing occurred on Thursday.
A North Jakarta District Court spokesman did not answer calls yesterday.
Those charged included two visitors to the club who police alleged performed oral sex, managers and several employees including strippers, a gym trainer and a security guard.
Ivonne Kristiani, a sister of one of the men charged, said four people involved in managing the club were sentenced to three years in prison.
Four employees and the two visitors, who included her brother, got two years.
“This punishment is too heavy because what he did is a private matter that does not harm others,” she said.
Shofwan said two of the defendants did not appear in court and he believed their sentencing was adjourned until next week, but Kristiani said it was clear from the proceedings, which were attended by her mother, that all 10 were sentenced. — AP