A transgender woman in Indonesia was jailed for more than two years last week for an online comment about Jesus' hair, according to a local official.
Ratu Thalisawas found guilty by a court in Medan City, Sumatra, of spreading hatred under the controversial online hate-speech law, said Dapot Dariarma from the prosecutor's office.
According to court documents, Ratu — who is a Muslim — was sentenced to 2 years and 10 months.
In a TikTok livestream in October, Ratu was seen talking to a picture of Jesus on her smartphone and told to "Cut your hair."
According to reports, Ratu was simply responding to a comment advising her to get a haircut so she wouldn't look like a woman.
Human rights groups have called the sentence excessive and excessive. Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said the sentence was a major attack on Ratu Thalisa's freedom of expression.
Hamid added, "Indonesia should prohibit incitement to religious hatred that leads to discrimination, hatred, or violence, but Ratu's statement did not go to that level."
Prosecutors immediately appealed the court's decision, which was lighter than the 4-year prison sentence they had requested. Ratu has 7 days to decide whether to appeal as well.
Indonesia, with a population of around 280 million, has religious minorities such as Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists, who are often targeted by radical groups amid rising religious tensions.
