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Playboy editor acquitted

Erwin Arnada

JAKARTA: The editor-in-chief of Playboy Indonesia did not violate indecency laws in the world's most populous Muslim nation and will not have to serve time behind bars, judges ruled on Thursday, angering religious hard-liners. Erwin Arnada faced a maximum penalty of 2 1/2 years in prison for overseeing publication of the magazine, which includes photos of women in undergarments. Though the pictures are less risqué than those appearing in some other magazines sold in the country, rock-throwing conservatives demanded immediately after the toned-down version of Playboy hit news stands one year ago that it be shut. Efran Basyuning, presiding judge of the South Jakarta District Court, said pictures presented during the months-long trial could not ``be categorised as pornography'' — a verdict hailed by Mr. Arnada as a victory for free speech. ``Playboy Indonesia is grateful to the readers and advertisers who have supported the magazine through this difficult time,'' he said at the courthouse, rung by 600 police officers bracing for an angry backlash from protesters. — AP

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