Watch CBS News

Nazril Irham Sex Tape? Indonesian Celebrities Could Face 10 Years in Prison

Nazril "Ariel" Irham and Girlfriend Luna Maya (AP Photo)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CBS/AP) A sex tape scandal involving Indonesian pop star Nazril Irham - also known by his stage name "Ariel" - and girlfriend Luna Maya has topped newscasts and dominated social media in the country.

It is the first scandal of its kind - an apparent celebrity sex video leaked to the Internet - for a country with strict anti-pornography laws.

Police have threatened to charge pop singer Irham and two former girlfriends under an anti-pornography law. If found guilty, they could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of US $500,000, even if there was no indication the intimate, but explicit, sex scenes were ever intended for public viewing.

The first video leaked was a six-minute video clip that appears to show Irham in bed with his girlfriend Luna Maya, a top model, actress and, up until the scandal, the face of Lux beauty soap.

Local media said the video started appearing in early June after Irham's laptop was stolen and many similar tapes, with other celebrities, were still out there.

Then a second eight-minute video emerged, purportedly showing Irham with a former girlfriend, also a well-liked model and television presenter, further fanning public appetite.

Irham and Maya have denied it is them, saying the footage was doctored, but they were called in for questioning by police.

The deputy national police spokesman, Brig. Zainuri Lubis, said Monday the probe was ongoing.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.