Blog: Indonesia Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists

Blog | Indonesia

Playboy Indonesia editor speaks out from jail

Although I refuse to say that I am guilty for violating criminal law for publishing Indonesia Playboy magazine, it never crossed my mind to run away or to try to avoid the two-year prison sentence handed down to me by the Supreme Court. I am a good citizen who respects the law in Indonesia.

On Saturday, October 9, 2010, I went to Jakarta with my lawyer, Todung Mulya Lubis, to be taken into custody and to begin my sentence. This was in compliance with an agreement made between my lawyer and the prosecution, according to which I was to be taken to the prosecutor's office that afternoon by Lubis and the Press Council.

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Blog | Indonesia

Arnada's Supreme Court appeal continues in Indonesia

By Bob Dietz/CPJ Asia Program Coordinator

Indonesian Playboy editor Erwin Arnada is appealing his conviction and two-year jail sentence. (AP)

Here's a quick update on the Indonesian Supreme Court's ongoing hearing to review its decision to sentence Playboy Indonesia editor Erwin Arnada to two years in jail for "public indecency." It's a case I've been following closely, because the outcome is an indicator of which direction Indonesia will be moving in the coming years -- toward or away from more media freedom. On September 30, CPJ wrote to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono about the case.

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Blog | Indonesia

Playboy editor's case is a test for Indonesia

By Bob Dietz/CPJ Asia Program Coordinator

Erwin Arnada, editor of the now-defunct Indonesian edition of Playboy, is appealing his conviction and two-year prison term. (AP)

On Wednesday, Erwin Arnada, editor of the now-defunct Indonesian edition of Playboy, will be released from Jakarta's high-security Cipinang prison for a few short hours to stand beside his legal team in Indonesia's Supreme Court.

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Blog | Indonesia

Indonesian Playboy editor held in high-security prison

By Bob Dietz/CPJ Asia Program Coordinator

Arnada outside an earlier court hearing. (Reuters/Crack Palinggi)

Erwin Arnada turned himself in to authorities at Cipinang prison in East Jakarta on October 9 to start serving a two-year sentence for public indecency. His conviction stemmed from pictures he published in a 2006 issue of the now-defunct Indonesian edition of Playboy magazine. On September 30, CPJ called on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Supreme Court Chief Justice Harifin Tumpa to allow Arnada to remain free while the Court heard his appeal.

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