Indonesian Pop Star Detained Over Sex Tapes

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CBS/AP) Police say they have detained Indonesian pop star Nazril Irham - also known by his stage name "Ariel" - over sex tapes that have been circulating online.


The singer could face jail time if found guilty of violating the country's strict anti-pornography law.


Two separate videos allegedly showing the 28-year-old in bed - in each, with a different celebrity girlfriend - started circulating on the Internet in early June.



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.


The scandal topped Indonesian newscasts for weeks and dominated chatter on social-networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.


National police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Zainuri Lubis said the singer turned himself Tuesday after he was named a suspect in the case.


If found guilty, Irham could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of US $500,000, even if there was no indication that the intimate, but explicit, sex scenes were ever intended for public viewing.