ICC Note:

Jakarta’s Christian-Chinese Governor is under trial for blasphemy against the Quran in Indonesia, which is the world’s most populous Muslim nation. On December 20th Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, returned to court to present his defense. Within the next week the court will decide whether to proceed with the trial, although hardly anyone has ever been acquitted of blasphemy in Indonesia. The trial has sharply divided the country, with hardline Muslims staging massive protests and insisting on his resignation and jailing. Ahok is viewed quite positively, however, from many moderate Muslims and non-Muslims in Indonesia for his aggressive policies against corruptions and his attempts to tackle the crippling traffic in Jakarta. Some have stated that this trial represents religious tolerance on a larger scale in Indonesia, and the decision from this trial could have strong repercussions in the direction Indonesia takes. Already, some ethnic and religious minorities are under tensions as acts of violence or discrimination against them have increased since the trial began.

12/20/2016 Indonesia (Reuters) – An Indonesian court will decide next week whether to push forward with a controversial blasphemy trial of Jakarta’s Christian governor, who is accused of insulting the Koran, a judge told a hearing on Tuesday.

Several hundred Muslim protesters stood outside the Jakarta court, calling for the jailing of Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese politician, known by his nickname Ahok.

A rival group of his supporters unveiled a banner with a map of Indonesia calling for unity and saying “Ahok is a blessing”.

A prosecution lawyer said the charges against the governor were legal and the trial should continue, dismissing a claim by the defense that naming Purnama a suspect had violated his human rights and breached procedures.

“The defendant under the prosecutors’ charges has violated articles 156 and 156a … but there was no violation of procedures,” said Ali Murkatono, referring to the codes of the blasphemy law, which can carry a jail term of up to five years.

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