Ariel Sex Tape: Pop Star Could Face Jail Time Over Scandal

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Police say they have detained a popular Indonesian singer over a sex-tape scandal.

Pop star Nazril Irham, better known as Ariel, could face jail time if found guilty of violating the country's strict anti-pornography law.

Two separate videos allegedly showing the 28-year-old in bed – in each, with a different celebrity girlfriend – started circulating on the Internet in early June.

The scandal topped newscasts for weeks and dominated chatter on social-networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

National police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Zainuri Lubis said the singer turned himself Tuesday after he was named a suspect in the case.

Authorities have until Wednesday morning to determine if there is enough evidence to charge him.

Comments

[i-am-mouse]

01:57 PM on 06/23/2010

This is an example of what the texas republican party would like to see here in the U.S.

[Acert]

08:03 PM on 06/23/2010

Who flagged this comment as abusive? I-am-mouse is right; banning all pornography is in the Texas GOP's platform. Google it, or look on HuffPost if you don't believe me.

[no-body]

08:17 PM on 06/23/2010

I am mouse is right ... Btw that Texas GOP thing is so ridiculous ....

[no-body]

01:07 PM on 06/23/2010

This is real sad. I wish Ariel, Luna and Cut Tari the best of luck ... I think that the media and Indonesian officials is making this story way too big for what it's worth. Indonesian officials are just a bunch of hypocrites... they would rather prosecute celebrities who’ve made sex video (and did not intentionally leaked it) than prosecute corruptors and real criminals who’ve intentionally harmed others. My parents house was robbed in Indonesia a few yrs back, my dad and mom were held at knife point … the police still haven’t caught the 8 guys who did this to my parents! Why don’t y’all spend a little bit of your effort and time to catch these guys there … instead of wasting your damn time on these celebrities?! Like for real, yes making sex video is stupid, and are these guys being a good role model?! Obviously not. But, I don’t think jail time is really necessary. Whoever leaked the video should be prosecuted, not them. They already have their careers destroyed and I heard their families are being targeted by locals as well. Wake up Indonesia, you have other things to worry about … like your corrupted officials for once … please!

[Denni]

11:42 AM on 06/23/2010

I'm just shocked that it's a man who is being (potentially) prosecuted and not the women!

[no-body]

12:48 PM on 06/23/2010

I am shocked ... that they prosecuted them period. I don't think they made the video for public consumption. I think they should have prosecuted whoever leaked the video on the web. But, what do I know.

[Denni]

11:16 AM on 06/25/2010

I didn't say that I agreed with it, on that with it happening, that some poor woman isn't being faulted for the sins of the world and punished.

[Jeremy Boulat]

11:06 AM on 06/23/2010

I respect the sovereignty of Indonesia. But I have NO RESPECT for Islamic Law or the law of any religion... laws that generally deny women and minorities, laws that allowed slavery for millennia. Patriarchy has to go away! I believe in the principle of humans rights

[Harvey Manfrangensonton]

09:34 AM on 06/23/2010

the religion of peace, at it again

[Princeton123]

12:50 PM on 06/23/2010

So, Porn is illigal in Indonesia. what's your problem?

[Harvey Manfrangensonton]

12:03 PM on 06/24/2010

You just said it. Porn is illegal in Indonesia. If I go there, I may want to pick up some porn.

[no-body]

01:22 PM on 06/23/2010

Ditto ...

[clearwaterclearmind]

06:37 AM on 06/23/2010

i read that muhammad pioneered and then taught his followers the world's best man on man fellatio techniques.

mmmmuhammad, yeah, just keep doing that right there.

[clearwaterclearmind]

06:32 AM on 06/23/2010

thank the dogs that we don't live in a society where creepy, religious old dudes can control our behavior.......

[Christopher Daley]

06:01 AM on 06/23/2010

There is a country none of our politicians will be moving to. I am afraid cutting them off from porn might significantly damage their ability to get anything done (not that they get much done now).

www.csdaley.com

[davidgoldmandg]

05:57 AM on 06/23/2010

Crazy Indonesia

[Barringtonmorr]

04:22 AM on 06/23/2010

Isn't Indonesia a sex-tourist wet dream. I swear i thought sex tourism was big in Indonesia. Guess i was wrong unless the sex industry is their dirty little secret ... naw couldn't be

[abuja19]

12:55 PM on 06/23/2010

It's Indonesia's worst kept secret.

[Build or Destroy]

04:39 AM on 06/24/2010

Not really, although there are problems in Bali. Most sleazy people go to Thailand or the Philippines.

[loutreverte]

03:56 AM on 06/23/2010

Remember when the media tells us how Indonesia is a model "moderate Muslim" nation, well...

[samiles96]

07:44 AM on 06/23/2010

Moderate is relative. While I would strongly disagree with such a law in US, having a ban on pornography hardly makes Indonesia a Taliban haven. Considering that many Muslims drink in Indonesia, I would think it is moderate.

[Princeton123]

12:53 PM on 06/23/2010

So, drining alcohol and watching porn is the definition of being "moderate"?

[jasev01]

02:59 AM on 06/23/2010

the other side of the world is sure different

[MFS001]

01:02 AM on 06/23/2010

It's amazing -- truly amazing -- how so many politicians/lawmakers throughout the world continue to be afraid of sex.

[SiberianRat]

02:34 AM on 06/23/2010

Indonesia is very conservative with a majority Muslim population. Some areas are not Muslim, but I think porn is forbidden all over the country. There are many other countries, some Muslim, some not, which ban porn. I feel bad for those countries.

[loutreverte]

03:52 AM on 06/23/2010

Careful ratty, that sounds dangerously close to admiting that Islam is the driving force of the puritanical and punitive mindset about sex in this instance. But religious apologists always have their spin machines ready, eh?

[Cetootski]

12:33 AM on 06/23/2010

police demands that he hand over all related material for "investigation" purposes. haha... pervs

[craig film]

12:27 AM on 06/23/2010

In the end, he'll get off easy, the women will suffer more... we probably won't hear much about that.

[JStading]

02:44 AM on 06/23/2010

Right, Muslim countries are known for giving men a total pass when it comes to morality crimes...