Indonesian Court Gives Go-Ahead to Blasphemy Trial of Jakarta Governor Ahok

Indonesia court refuses to drop blasphemy trial of Jakarta’s governor.

Jakarta, 28 Rabiul awwal 1438/27 December 2016 (MINA) – A panel of judges of the North Jakarta District Court, here, Tuesday, rejected the exception presented by non-active governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known by his nickname Ahok, during the third blasphemy trial.

“The court has stated that the exception presented by Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and his lawyers cannot be accepted,” Chief of the panel of judges Dwiarso Budi Santiarto said while reading the interlocutory decision.

With the rejection, the trial will move forward, with several witnesses being presented in the blasphemy case accusing Ahok of insulting the Islamic Holy Book, Al Quran, Antara reported.

On Tuesday hundreds of white-clad Muslim protesters chanted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) outside the court in north Jakarta and called for the jailing of the governor.

A smaller group of his supporters were also present outside the courthouse, which was flanked by lines of police.

The next court hearing is scheduled for January 3 and will be moved to an auditorium held by the agricultural ministry in the south of the city for security reasons. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)