A policeman in Probolinggo, East Java is reportedly undergoing an internal investigation over suspicions that he coerced another man into a same-sex relationship after their intimate photos leaked online.
The photos, which went viral this week after they were posted on Facebook, depict a police officer, who is identified by his initial H, hugging and kissing a man identified by his initial B.
The post contains a caption that was made to look like it was written by B, in which he said that H had promised to get him into the police force and buy him a car in exchange for a sexual relationship. H then allegedly reneged on the promises and even threatened to hurt B, prompting the latter to leak the photos online to incriminate H.
Though homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, the stigma against the LGBT community has been huge in recent years, including in the police force. Last year, for instance, a policeman was discharged for being gay and had his lawsuit denied by the court.
At any rate, police have taken both B and H for questioning.
“For the case involving the oknum H, he will be investigated by [internal affairs] at the East Java Police,” Probolinggo Police Chief Ferdy Irawan said yesterday, as quoted by Detik, using the Indonesian phrase that describes an unscrupulous individual whose actions do not represent the organization or institution in which he belongs.
Ferdy did not say if H is being investigated for homosexuality or allegations that he coerced another man into having sexual relations with him.
It’s not clear what criminal charges could be filed against B, but he has denied that he posted the photos as he lost his phone last year.
Police say they are now searching for the uploader of the photos, who may be charged with spreading “pornographic” content online, if caught.
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