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)