Ariel, Three & A Half Years, and an Appeal?

The sex-tape distribution case of Nazril "Ariel" Irham, or Peterporn as it had come to be known has reached a conclusion of sorts. Ariel has been sentenced to 3.5 years in the "big house" for his role in distributing a sex tape.The evidence that was adduced in court and that which was played out in the court of public opinion must have been two very different animals. The reality is that what we

Watching Porn and Thoughts of Rape and Pedophilia...

It is interesting how an argument that links pornography to all sorts of society ills is trotted out to justify a crackdown. There is a distinct difference between arguments regarding the morality of porn and arguments about porn leading to increases in occurrences of rape and pedophilia. So, when high ranking individuals in government ministries, agencies, or the police force make statements to

Prosecutors Say They Have Done Enough: Ariel Guilty!

Rusmanto the lead prosecutor's response to the defense claims in Nazril "Ariel" Irham's distribution of sex tapes trial was one for the ages:“We ask the panel of judges to reject the entire statement of defense put forward by lawyers for the defendant.” And, “We stand by the sentencing demand of five years.”To be honest, every prosecutor who is worth their salt would stand by the arguments that

How Much Time Should Ariel Do For A Sex Tape?

Here is the crux of this case: "have the prosecutors proved that Ariel was involved in the distribution of either the tape of him having sex with Luna Maya or the tape of him having sex with Cut Tari?" The answer must inform the judges when making their decision. Based on the evidence which has been adduced in court, the answer to this question is "no". The prosecutors have not satisfied the

Ariel Looking Down the Barrel: Five on the Inside?

Nazril 'Ariel' Irham the front man for the Indonesian band Peterpan is facing a five-year jail term and a fine of IDR 250 million for his alleged role in a porn distribution racket. The sad part about this case is that it should never have gone to trial. There is no case to answer here. Even with a very novel and creative interpretation of the law it is very difficult to see exactly how Ariel has

Ariel, Is It You?

The big questions are about to be answered in the ongoing saga that doubles as the Nazriel "Ariel" Irham sex tapes trial. The biggest question of them all, in fact, "Ariel is that you in the tape making mad passionate love with Cut Tari?"Well, according to Cut Tari, it is Ariel. There were no ifs, buts, or maybes in Cut Tari's testimony. In fact, when Cut Tari appeared to give her testimony she

Ariel: The Farce Continues...

Wake me up when this trial is done and dusted, please.I have been away for a little bit more than a week. It has been nice to not read a whole lot of news. It has also been nice to be away from an internet connection, and the temptation to see what frivolity came about in the latest trial hearing in the Peterporn saga. Yet, to be honest, I feel that seeing I started this "follow it through to the

Luna Maya, Ariel and Pemuda Pancasila...

So, what is the Pancasila Youth (Pemuda Pancasila) doing at the Ariel sex tape trial?Part of the interest of watching a controversial celebrity trial is watching how the support for and against the defendant align themselves. A trial about sex tapes, and pornography generally, is certain to bring them out.So, how do they align in the Ariel distribution of sex tapes case?On, the one side you

Luna Maya Is Sad...

I abominate all honourable respectable toils, trials, and tribulations of every kind whatsoever. It is quite as much as I can do to take care of myself ...- Ishmael (From Moby Dick)It is the essence of gossip that there are so many personal struggles that would be time better spent that gloating over the trials and tribulations of others as we watch their lives unravel on national TV and in the

Ariel: The Trial Continues...

The trial continues...The latest hearing of the "Ariel Does Indonesian Celebrities" trial was a public one. The fact that the hearing was a public one was not all that surprising in the big scheme of things. In essence, the hearing was merely a formality in that the judges were handing down their decision on the objections (eksepsi) of the defense to the prosecution's case. From what I can tell,