JAKARTA: Indonesian police have detained 58 men including several foreigners in a raid on a gay sauna, an official said Saturday (Oct 7), the latest sign of a backlash against homosexuals in the Muslim-majority country.

Police late Friday raided a building in the capital Jakarta that houses a sauna and a gym after they received information from the public that it was being used for prostitution.

"We secured 51 and seven employees for allegedly providing pornographic services," Jakarta Police spokesman Argo Yuwono said in a statement.

Six foreigners were among those detained, including four men from China, one from Thailand and one from Holland.

 

Read more at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/indonesian-police-arrest-58-men-in-raid-on-gay-sauna-9289614

 

The Guardian (UK) posted this photo (provided by authorities), showing cops displaying the "evidence" confiscated in the raid. It apparently consisted mainly of condoms and lubricants--stuff that could be purchased at most pharmacies. The heavily-armed Swat team in background creates interesting optics.

 

Some noteworthy quotes from the Guardian account:

 

When asked about what the people in the spa were doing at the time of the raid, Yuwono noted that it was dark at the time.

 

“LGBT is clearly between men and men or same-sex relationships. Male prostitution,” Yuwono said, without clarifying further. He said those charged could face up to six years in prison under Indonesia’s pornography law.

 

“There’s a cashier, the manager there and also those providing facilities like towels and other things,” he said.

 

I'm sure readers were shocked, shocked to learn that there was a manager and a cashier preseent  and that towels were provided. That explains why the Swat team was required, I guess.

 

Give me good, old Thailand any day.

 

Give me good, old Thailand any day.

it's still there

I'm in BKK now but did think about going to Jakarta....I might have been in that place had I not come here, Finally my bad timing saved me on something.....

I'm in BKK now but did think about going to Jakarta....I might have been in that place had I not come here, Finally my bad timing saved me on something.....

stay where you belong

disregard

I'm in BKK now but did think about going to Jakarta....I might have been in that place had I not come here, Finally my bad timing saved me on something.....

Bali is a better option. I was there recently and met some great looking guys from Jakarta using Grindr, JackD etc. They were very enthusiastic sexually and only one asked for money, about 700 baht. They travel to Bali for some freedom and were very keen to meet for sex and more. No problems at the hotel with guys visiting my room.

Bali is a better option. I was there recently and met some great looking guys from Jakarta using Grindr, JackD etc. They were very enthusiastic sexually and only one asked for money, about 700 baht. They travel to Bali for some freedom and were very keen to meet for sex and more. No problems at the hotel with guys visiting my room.

 

Think about the terrorist attacks in Bali by Muslim militants, the worst in 2002 in front of a nightclub that left over 200 dead...   

Think about the terrorist attacks in Bali by Muslim militants, the worst in 2002 in front of a nightclub that left over 200 dead...

I did visit the memorial in Bali. We had attacks in Australia too but i still will go to Sydney and Melbourne. I nearly was run over by a songtaew in Pattaya recently. Stuff happens and no need to take unnecessary risks but Bali is relatively safe. The volcano has been more of a danger for a tourist in Bali recently.

it is so infuriating.

 

I've been spending a fair bit of time on the blued app lately. Tons of Indonesian guys.

 

The government and religious wackos persecuting these guys make me sick. Remember those poor kids in Aceh who were beaten in public after being found guilty of being gay recently?

 

They seem not to care that using "pornography" laws to prosecute these people is nonsensical. But since homosexual relations are not illegal they had to find some other way to persecute them.