Indonesia: Christian faces 10 years’ imprisonment for video criticizing Islam
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – A Christian convert who has been in prison in Bali, Indonesia since August last year is facing a possible 10-year jail term for uploading a YouTube video that allegedly insults the Islamic faith, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
A former Muslim who put his faith in Christ, Muhummad Kace has uploaded hundreds of YouTube videos that are critical of Islam, ICC reports. Following his arrest on account of his videos in August, Kace was charged with blasphemy, which carries a five-year sentence. However, prosecutors altered the charges disseminating false information and causing unrest, which together carry a sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
ICC notes that a Muslim cleric convicted on similar charges earlier this year received only five months in jail. “The difference in severity between the sentence for the Muslim cleric and Kace highlights the discrimination against Christians in Indonesia’s justice system,” ICC said in its report.
“Despite claims of promoting religious freedom, the Muslim-majority country has a history of systemically discriminating against non-Muslims in its justice proceedings,” ICC said.
The Christian advocacy group Open Doors USA reports that persecution against believers has intensified in recent years: eight Christians were killed in three attacks that took place within six months between 2020-2021. Moreover, Open Doors said in a website statement: “Indonesian society has taken on a more conservative Islamic character, putting added pressure on Christians.”
Indonesia ranks 28 on the US Open Doors Watch List of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
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