JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS — Amnesty International Indonesia has called for the immediate release of a university student arrested for allegedly creating and sharing a digitally altered image of President Prabowo Subianto and former President Joko Widodo. The image, widely circulated on social media, depicted the two political figures kissing—allegedly created using artificial intelligence (AI).

The student, identified by the initials SSS, was apprehended by the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri). Authorities have charged her under multiple articles of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, citing violations related to morality and the manipulation of electronic documents.

In response, Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, criticized the arrest as a violation of free expression. “This case reflects the continuation of authoritarian practices by police to suppress digital freedom of speech, using morality as an excuse,” he said in a statement Friday.

He emphasized that even offensive peaceful expression—including through satire, memes, or art—is not a criminal offense. “This is a blatant attempt to criminalize online speech and dissent,” Hamid added.

Hamid further argued that the arrest contradicts a recent Constitutional Court decision which ruled that online controversy or commotion on social media should not be considered a criminal act. Amnesty accused the police of ignoring the court’s judgment and acting in a repressive and authoritarian manner.

Amnesty highlighted that freedom of expression is a right protected under both national and international law, including Indonesia’s 1945 Constitution. While the law allows limitations to protect reputations, human rights standards discourage criminal penalties—especially when applied to criticism of public officials.