Indonesian Pastor Sentenced to Two Years for Blasphemy

The Banda Aceh District Court has sentenced Pastor Dedi Saputra to two years in prison following his conviction on charges of blasphemy and hate speech. The court ruled that Saputra, an Aceh native who converted to Christianity, violated the Indonesian Criminal Code by posting content on TikTok in October 2025 that allegedly incited unrest within the region. While the public prosecutor had originally requested a four-year sentence, the panel of judges presided over by Fauzi ultimately issued a two-year term.

During the proceedings, the court determined that Saputra’s social media activity undermined interfaith tolerance in Aceh, a province known for its strong Islamic identity. The trial, which concluded on July 10, 2026, has drawn attention due to reports of a public prosecutor allegedly making a threatening remark regarding the defendant's status as an apostate. Advocacy groups have expressed concern over the implications of the verdict, questioning the protection of religious minorities and the freedom to express views that differ from the majority faith.