A prominent influencer with a substantial following of over two million TikTok users has been arrested in Bali for consuming pork.
Lina Lutfiawati, who gained fame on the platform, posted a video of herself consuming crispy pork skin while uttering the Islamic phrase “Bismillah,” signifying “in the name of God” in Arabic.
This video, which depicted her apparent displeasure while chewing the meat, was initially reported in March but led to charges filed against her in May.
On September 19, a court in Palembang sentenced Lutfiawati to a two-year prison term after finding her guilty of “spreading information aimed at inciting hatred against religious individuals and specific groups,” as reported by AFP.
Identifying as a Muslim, Lutfiawati was also ordered to pay a fine of $16,269.22 (£13,228). Failure to pay this fine may result in an extension of her sentence by an additional three months.
At the time of the incident, it was reported that Lutfiawati was visiting Bali and decided to try pork out of curiosity.
Following the verdict, she expressed her surprise, stating, “I know that I am wrong, but I did not expect this punishment.”
This case has raised concerns among human rights groups, particularly regarding the use of blasphemy laws in her prosecution.
The executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, emphasized that such actions contravene Indonesia’s international obligations related to the protection of freedom of thought, conscience, religion, belief, and freedom of expression.
