Case: Alexander Aan
Alexander Aan is a former Indonesian civil servant who, in January 2012, posted messages to Facebook expressing his lack of belief in a god, as well as several cartoons about the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
As a result, Aan was attacked at his workplace by an angry mob. When police arrived, they arrested Aan and charged him with blasphemy, promoting atheism, lying on an official government document (Indonesia requires its citizens to claim a religion; Aan marked down Islam), and disseminating information aimed at inciting religious hatred or hostility.
In June, a district court found Aan guilty of incitement and sentenced him to two years and six months in prison. He was also fined 100 million rupiah (US $10,600). Aan remains imprisoned during his appeals process, which is now taking place.
The Center for Inquiry, Atheist Alliance International, Amnesty International, and several other groups have formally condemned the sentencing and are working to secure Aan’s freedom.