Aceh Police Arrest Suspected Blasphemy Offender Over Social Media Posts

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) — The Special Crimes Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) of Aceh Provincial Police has arrested a suspect accused of religious blasphemy and hate speech on social media.

Aceh Provincial Police’s Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Joko Krisdiyanto, said in Banda Aceh on Saturday that the suspect, identified by the initials DS, had been formally designated as a suspect by investigators.

“DS was arrested based on a police report concerning alleged criminal acts of hate speech and religious blasphemy dated 18 November 2025. The report was filed by a university student from North Aceh Regency,” he said.

Based on the police report, Unit 3 of the Cyber Division under Ditreskrimsus Aceh Provincial Police launched an investigation. The inquiry revealed that DS was located in Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan.

Personnel from Unit 3 of the Cyber Division, led by Inspector Adam Maulana, subsequently departed for West Kalimantan on 17 February 2026 and coordinated with local police.

The following day, Joko Krisdiyanto said, the Ditreskrimsus team together with Bengkayang Police officers arrested DS and brought him to the local police headquarters for questioning as a witness.

“The investigators then held a virtual case review. Based on the results, investigators designated DS as a suspect in the criminal case of hate speech and religious blasphemy,” Joko Krisdiyanto said.

The Ditreskrimsus team ultimately transported DS to Aceh Provincial Police headquarters in Banda Aceh on Thursday (19 February). The team arrived on Friday (20 February) and DS was placed in the Aceh Provincial Police detention facility.

“Aceh Provincial Police reaffirms its commitment to taking firm action against all forms of hate speech and religious blasphemy, as they disrupt public order and social harmony, particularly through social media,” Joko Krisdiyanto said.