ICC Note:

The trial of the Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as Ahok) has begun. Ahok, who is a Chinese Christian, is accused of blaspheming the Quran during a speech. Holding back tears, Ahok told the court that he never intended to insult the Quran or Islam, but that his comments were for rival politicians that were politicizing the issue of Ahok’s religion. Ahok described his close relationship with his adoptive Indonesian parents who are Muslim. But Ahok also quoted from a book he had written, saying that politicians in Indonesia are “Hiding behind holy verses” and were creating religious divides to gain power. Outside the court, protests were being held against Ahok. As Ahok’s trial begins, he has slipped behind his political opponent, Yudhoyono, in polls. Yudhoyono is the son of the former president of Indonesia. The two are seen as rivals to Ahok and the current president. Joko Widodo. They also maintain close ties to the Islamic Liberation Front (FPI), the organization behind the massive protests against Ahok in Jakarta.

12/13/2016 Indonesia (Reuters) – A tearful governor of Jakarta denied on Tuesday he had intended to insult the Koran at the start of his blasphemy trial in the Indonesian capital, which is seen as a test of religious freedom in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

Around 100 Muslim protesters calling for the jailing of Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama chanted “God is great” outside the court, while supporters of the ethnic Chinese Christian sang the national anthem.

A cordon of police stood guard outside the court after Muslims, led by hardliners, took to the streets in December and November, to call for Purnama’s arrest and to urge voters not to re-elect him in February.

The rallies, with over 150,000 participants each, were the biggest Jakarta has seen in nearly two decades.

Purnama told the court he had not intended any insult during a trip to islands off Jakarta when he commented on opponents use of the Koran in political campaigning.

“It is clear what I said in the Thousand Islands was not intended to interpret the (Koran), let alone to insult Islam or the ulema,” said Purnama, who was responding after the prosecutor read out the charges.

The governor said that his comments were targeted at rival politicians trying to get an unfair advantage in the election by saying that voters should not support a non-Muslim.

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