Ervani Emy Handayani, a 29-year-old housewife charged with defamation after commenting on her husbandâs dismissal on her Facebook page, attended her third hearing at Bantul District Court on Thursday
rvani Emy Handayani, a 29-year-old housewife charged with defamation after commenting on her husband's dismissal on her Facebook page, attended her third hearing at Bantul District Court on Thursday.
During the hearing, prosecutor Supriyadi rejected all of Ervani's defense statements previously conveyed to the court by her lawyer from the Yogyakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH).
'We reject all the defense statements because the Facebook comments contain elements of defamation,' Supriyadi told the court.
The prosecutor asked the panel of judges to proceed with the legal process according to the prevailing law.
The 15-minute session was presided over by Judge Sulistyo M. Dwi Putro. It was adjourned until Monday to hear the defendant's response to the prosecutor's statement.
Ervani has found herself in court for protesting her husband's dismissal on Facebook. She has been charged with violating Article 27 of Law No. 11/2008 on Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE Law).
'I have apologized repeatedly if my comments made someone feel uncomfortable. I have even sent a written apology by mail,' Ervani said after the hearing.
Hundreds of Ervani's neighbors from Gedongan, Bangunjiwo, Kasihan district, Bantul regency, were seen in the court building to provide moral support to Ervani.
Bearing demands for Ervani's freedom, they stayed with her until she returned home.
'I will continue giving support to mbak Emy until the trial is over,' Ngatiyem, 54, said, referring to Ervani by her nickname.
Ngatiyem said that what Ervani had posted on Facebook was like gossiping. The difference is that one is face-to-face communication, while the other is more public, being expressed through Facebook.
'That [gossiping] is one of the spices of life. I think this case is ridiculous,' she said.
Previously, on Monday, the court had agreed to Ervani's request for a detention delay, so she could go back to her family and her daily life.
According to data from the Association of Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Watch Indonesia, as of October, 71 people had faced defamation charges under Article 27 (3) of the ITE Law since it was passed in 2008. Of these, 40 occurred in 2014.
Meanwhile, in Yogyakarta, law student Florence Saulina Sihombing is facing prison accused of spreading hatred through her Path account.
Florence posted comments after she was refused service when she cut in line to buy fuel at Lempuyangan gas station in Yogyakarta on Aug. 27.
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