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Transgender TikToker Sentenced for Blasphemous Joke in Indonesia

4/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Ratu Thalisa, a transgender Muslim TikToker, faces a harsh two years and ten months in prison for a light-hearted joke about Jesus needing a haircut, deemed blasphemous in Indonesia. This ruling has sparked outrage among human rights advocates, who view it as a severe blow to freedom of expression. Thalisa is also burdened with a hefty $6,200 fine.

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Story summary

Ratu Thalisa, a transgender Muslim TikToker, faces a harsh two years and ten months in prison for a light-hearted joke about Jesus needing a haircut, deemed blasphemous in Indonesia. This ruling has sparked outrage among human rights advocates, who view it as a severe blow to freedom of expression. Thalisa is also burdened with a hefty $6,200 fine.