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Plans to charge six Indonesians under a controversial anti-pornography law for staging a “sexy dance” during New Year celebrations sets a dangerous legal precedent, a women’s rights group said on Friday.

The law — which bans public displays of flesh and behavior that could incite lust — was passed in 2008 with the support of Islamic parties, provoking an outcry from many Indonesians who saw it as a threat to artistic, religious and cultural freedom.

The case in Bandung is one of the first times the law could be used since it was introduced.

“We regret the implementation of the pornography law, which criminalizes women,” said Elin Rozana, the head of Institut Perempuan, a Bandung-based women’s rights group.

“We see this as a bad precedent for the implementation of the law in Indonesia.”

Police in Bandung, 125 kilometers southeast of Jakarta, detained four female dancers and two men involved in management over the alleged performance.

Arman Achdiat, Bandung’s head of detectives, said the six could be charged under the criminal code or the anti-pornography law, depending on prosecutors.

He did not elaborate, but according to local media the dancers were wearing underwear and police had seized tips they received from the audience.

Those prosecuted under the anti-pornography can face a maximum jail term of 15 years.

A number of rights groups have previously lodged a judicial review at the Constitutional Court demanding the law be dropped.



Reuters