A 33-year-old Muslim woman and content creator was sentenced to two years in jail for reciting an Islamic prayer before eating pork in a TikTok video.
Accused Lina Mukherjee was found guilty of “spreading information aimed at inciting hatred against religious individuals and specific groups” during a court hearing at the Class I District Court in Palembang, Indonesia, on 19th September.
She was also ordered to pay a IDR 250 million (GBP 13,164) fine or spend an additional three more months behind bars.
Presiding judge Romi Sinatra said while reading the verdict: “The court rules and imposes a prison sentence on the defendant, Lina Lutfiawati alias Lina Mukherjee, for two years and a fine of IDR 250 million [GBP 13,164], with an alternative of three months in prison.”
In the widely criticised video posted in the spring, Lina is seen trying a local cuisine with a plate of mixed rice.
In the clip, she can be heard saying: “Bismillah [in the name of Allah]. Out of curiosity, I will try pork skin.”
After tasting the fried delicacy, she first puts on a sour expression on her face as if to say she does not like it. She ends the video by dipping her fingers in some rice and giving a thumbs up to the camera.
Islam strictly forbids the consumption of pork.
An unnamed resident later reported Line for the video and she was later charged by prosecutors.
Lina is yet to decide if she wants to appeal the verdict.
She said after the hearing: “I will take some time to think about the verdict for a week. I wasn’t surprised by the verdict either.”
Lina added: “No human is perfect. In the future, I will only produce funny content that doesn’t offend people.”
