Ahok Faces First Trial of Blasphemy Case

Jakarta,13 Rabiul Awal 1438/13 December 2016 (MINA) – The non-active Indonesian capital city governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) will face inagural session trial of religious blasphemy allegation case on Tuesday (12/13) morning.

Deputy Attorney General for General Crime Noor Rohmat has given assurance on location of the trial. “It will be held on Wednesday at 09:00 am at the former building of Central Jakarta District Court, Gajah Mada Street, Central Jakarta,” said Noor on Monday. Republika reported.

Previously, the Head of Public Information Bureau of National Police Commissioner Rikwanto said Cibubur and Kemayoran might become alternative places for the inaugural session. There were some venues considered to be the location of the trial, such as Jakarta International Expo (JI Expo) center in Kemayoran, Graha Wisata Pramuka Campground (Buperta) in Cibubur, and some others.

The consideration would concern on the estimated number of visitors.  “It is concerned with an estimated number of visitors who come to watch it,” said Rikwanto in Jakarta, Wednesday (12/7).

Meanwhile, five judges were appointed to precede the Ahok’s case, namely Budi Santiarto Dwiarso as the chief judge, and four others of Jupriadi, Abdul Rosyad, Joseph V Rahantoknam, and I Wayan Wijarna.

There were 13 public prosecutors involved in the case. They are namely Ali Mukartono, Reky Sonny Eddy Lumentut, Lila Agustina, Bambang Surya Irawan, J Devi Sudarsono, Sapto Subrata, Bambang Sindhu Pramana, Ardito Muwardi, Deddy Sunanda, Suwanda, Andri Wiranofa, Diky Oktavia and Fedrik Adhar. (R03/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)