Islamists shut down Indonesian transgender event

JAKARTA (AFP) - An Indonesian Islamist group that earlier this year forced Lady Gaga to cancel a concert have now had a transgender festival in the capital shut down, the event organiser said on Tuesday.

Members from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) armed with sticks demanded the closure of the event late Monday night, according to organiser Yuli.

"The event was a sports and cultural event and traditional Indonesian pageant, but they consider that wrong and negative. They say we don't have an official permit," Yuli, who goes by one name, told AFP.

The police came to the venue in south Jakarta after dusk on Monday and turned off the lights, locked the main doors and shouted to hundreds of participants to leave the building, Yuli said.