Model summoned as witness in alleged porn
Model summoned as witness in alleged porn
JAKARTA (JP): Photo model and television star Sarah Azhari
testified before police investigators on Tuesday in connection
with an investigation into alleged media pornography committed by
several magazines and tabloids.
Accompanied by lawyers Dwi Ria Latifa and Andi Saparudin and
close friend Pedro Carrascalao, Sarah went to the National Police
Headquarters and defended her "naked-look" cover photos for the
June edition of Matra magazine and the July edition of Pop
tabloid.
"I now feel relieved as I've complied with the police summons
and completed the questioning," Sarah told reporters upon the
completion of the three-hour questioning.
She said her presence at the National Police Headquarters
hopefully could dismiss media reports that she had left the
country to avoid the questioning.
The police sent a summons to Sarah last month, but she was on
a trip to Europe until June 30.
The 21-year-old artist was questioned as a witness in an
investigation into Matra's chief editor Nano Riantiarno and Pop's
chief editor Heru B. Iskandar. Both were named suspects.
Along with Nano and Heru, the police also named Popular
magazine's chief editor Mujimanto, Liberty magazine's chief
editor Koesnan Sukandar and Obyektif tabloid's chief editor
Anggoro S., as suspects.
Police recently announced that two dossiers on Matra and
Popular magazines were completed and handed over to the Central
Jakarta Prosecutor's Office. The office, however, returned the
first dossier, suggesting the police complete and support the
charges with more evidence.
"Apparently, the police just made up the case, but failed to
reveal the truth or at least provide the public with a clear
message of what pornography is," Dwi said.
The five editors are charged under Article 282 of the Criminal
Code, a violation which could sentence them to a maximum 18
months in prison and a fine of up to Rp 3,000 (less than 40 U.S.
cents).
The police's zealous investigation into the alleged media
pornography and its hasty decision to submit the dossiers drew
concerns from the public, who were impatiently waiting for the
police's responses to other important cases.
Many people believe that the probe into the pornography
allegations was merely part of the police's efforts to divert
public attention from more crucial cases of corruption and
banking scandals.
Asked by reporters about what she thought about her pictures
published in the two magazines, Sarah said she could not
differentiate whether the pictures were pornographic or artistic.
"Don't ask me that (question). All I know is pornography is
not allowed in this country," she said.
She quickly added that she wore a complete outfit during the
photo sessions for the two magazines.
"It's merely because of photographic techniques and computer
manipulation that I looked naked in the magazines," she said.
Police have also summoned artists and top photo models who
posed for the five publications, including Sophia Latjuba and
Inneke Koesherawati. (emf)