Defending Free Speech, Khariq Anhar Rejects Criminalisation of Criticism Through Memes

Defendant Khariq Anhar has stressed that the legal case against him represents a serious threat to the public’s freedom of expression on social media. He made the statement after a witness examination hearing at the Jakarta District Court on Monday (6/7). Khariq considers this case not merely a personal matter, but one that concerns the rights of millions of social media users to convey criticism through memes, satire, and sarcasm. He fears that if he is convicted, the younger generation will be afraid to voice their opinions about the government. “What we are defending is not me, but to ensure the ITE Law is no longer used to imprison anyone,” said Khariq, who was accompanied by the Advocacy Team for Democracy. In this session, the defence presented content creator Ferry Irwandi as a witness. Ferry stated that Khariq, a student, should not undergo criminal proceedings merely for critical content he deemed to be within the bounds of creativity and politeness. Ferry also highlighted the long-term social impact for those entangled in similar legal cases, such as difficulty finding employment or the risk of expulsion from educational institutions. He expressed hope that the panel of judges would acquit Khariq of all charges. Khariq Anhar is accused of editing a screenshot of a statement by KSPI President Said Iqbal regarding the August 2025 demonstrations. While prosecutors consider the post to have manipulated information, the legal team insists the content is a form of satire that does not resemble the original appearance. Khariq’s legal counsel added that Ferry’s testimony proves there is no causal link between their client’s post and the traffic congestion during the demonstration. The Advocacy Team for Democracy remains convinced that this case is a form of criminalisation of lawful digital expression.