Indonesian ex-minister held over post of president's face on Buddhist statue

Police said former sport and youth minister Roy Suryo's arrest was aimed at preventing him from removing any evidence. - ROY SURYO/TWITTER

JAKARTA (AFP): Indonesian police have arrested a former minister on charges of hate speech and blasphemy after he posted pictures of President Joko Widodo's face digitally superimposed on a Buddhist statue.

Former sport and youth minister Roy Suryo's arrest, which included the seizure of his Twitter account and mobile phone, was aimed at preventing him from removing any evidence, said police spokesperson Endra Zulpan.