Singer named suspect in sex-video case

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 12/27/2006 2:09 PM | Jakarta

Prodita Sabarini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakarta Police have named dangdut singer Maria Eva a suspect in connection with the distribution of a sex video showing her and former lawmaker Yahya Zaini, a police spokesman said Tuesday.

Sr. Comr. Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said Maria could be charged with violating Article 282 of the Criminal Code on the distribution of pornographic materials.

The article carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in jail.

Ketut said detectives had gathered enough evidence to name Maria a suspect in the case.

The video in question shows the singer and the Golkar Party's former religious affairs head cavorting naked in a hotel room.

After the 42-second cell phone video surfaced in November, the married Yahya lost his seat at the House of Representatives and resigned from Golkar.

A detective investigating the case, Comr. Hendro Pandowo, said police had so far questioned 10 people in connection with the case, including Yahya and his wife Sharmila.

Police say Maria approached several people, including production house executives and a journalist, about releasing the video.

Officers say the singer also sent cell phone messages to Yahya's wife telling her of the existence of the video, which Maria allegedly called her ""trump card"".

Detective Hendro said Maria also confessed to recording the video herself.

A lawyer for the singer, Ruhut Sitompul, said he had not been notified by police that his client had officially been named a suspect in the case.

Police also are investigating Maria's claim that she had an abortion while two months pregnant with Yahya's child.

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