Indonesian pop star jailed over online sex tapes

London, Jan 31 (ANI): An Indonesian pop star who rocked the Muslim-majority nation when sex tapes he made with celebrity girlfriends surfaced online was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison on Monday.

Nazril 'Ariel' Irham is the first celebrity to be charged under the country's strict anti-pornography law that came into effect in 2008, reports the Daily Express.

Ariel, lead singer of the band Peterpan, had said the videos were stolen and posted online without his knowledge.

Presiding Judge Singgih Budi Prakoso said that the 29-year-old singer made the videos with two celebrity girlfriends and did nothing to prevent their wide distribution on the Internet.

In addition to jail time, Ariel was fined 25,000 dollars.

"As a public figure, the defendant should be aware that fans might imitate his behaviour," said Judge Prakoso, adding that he also showed no remorse.

His sentence - well short of the maximum 12 - angered hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the court. (ANI)