Two Suspects Arrested in Jakarta Music Festival Alcohol Promotion Blasphemy Case

Two suspects in an alleged blasphemy case at ‘The Sounds Project’ music festival in Ancol, North Jakarta, have been detained. The pair, a man with the initial E and a woman with the initial R, were seen being escorted to the Metro Jaya Police detention centre on Thursday afternoon wearing prison uniforms and handcuffs. They remained silent as they were led away under tight security.

North Jakarta Police had previously arrested the two individuals. Plh. North Jakarta Police Chief, Commissioner Oki Waskito, confirmed the arrests and stated that the case status would be upgraded to an investigation. Metro Jaya Police spokesperson, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, confirmed that the handling of the case has been transferred from the North Jakarta Police to the Metro Jaya Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate.

The case went viral after a video circulated on social media showing a brand of alcoholic beverage conducting a challenge with a festival attendee. In the footage, the attendee was seen reciting a verse from the Quran. Responding to the incident, the event organiser issued an apology via their official account, stating that the challenge was conducted without their direction or approval. They asserted that they do not tolerate any form of blasphemy or actions that offend ethnic or religious sentiments by any party operating within their event area, including sponsors and partners.