Five Youths Named Suspects in Karawang Gay Party Case

Five young men involved in a gay party at the Theater Night Mart nightclub on Sunday evening have been named as suspects in an indecency case. The suspects have been identified by their initials as DA (23), SA (23), R (21), and AH (20), whilst IH (20) remains at large.

Karawang Police Chief AKBP Fiki Ardiansyah confirmed that the suspects were apprehended at their respective homes in the early hours of Tuesday. A video recording showing male couples embracing had gone viral on social media, sparking public unease.

According to police, the incident began when the four suspects, along with a witness identified as S, gathered at a residence in East Telukjambe around midnight on Saturday. Suspect R subsequently learnt that IH was at the Theater Night Mart, prompting the group to head there. Finding the nightclub full, they initially left to seek another venue before IH contacted R again, informing them a table had become available and the group returned.

Police say the suspects consumed alcoholic beverages, causing them to become intoxicated. They then allegedly engaged in acts of indecency in a public place, embracing and kissing individuals of the same sex whilst the venue was still crowded.

The act was recorded and uploaded to a WhatsApp status, where it quickly went viral. Authorities launched an immediate investigation and enforcement action against those involved.

A number of items have been seized as evidence, and the suspects have been charged under Article 406 and Article 414 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. Police have confirmed they are continuing to pursue the additional suspect identified as I and his associates. The public has been urged not to be provoked and to allow the legal process to take its course.