ICC Note:
Five witnesses are scheduled to testify in the blasphemy case against Jakarta’s Christian-Chinese Governor. On the witness stand, however, won’t be found witnesses who were present for the speech the Governor is being tried for. Instead, the witnesses are leaders of Muslim organizations and a lawyer. The case against the Governor is a complicated one. Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has faced opposition from hardline Muslims since he took his seat. The basis for their opposition is his religion: he is a Christian and not a Muslim. Many Muslims feel they should not be governed by a Christian. Many point out, however, that opposing Muslim groups have strong ties to Ahok’s political opponent.
1/10/2017 Indonesia (The Jakarta Post) – Prosecutors are set to present five witnesses to testify against non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in the fifth hearing of his blasphemy trial, which will take place at the Agriculture Ministry’s auditorium, South Jakarta, on Tuesday.
Ahok’s lawyer Fifi Lety Indra said the witnesses were Darussalam Kota Wisata Mosque organizer H. Ibnu Baskoro, secretary-general of Muhammadiyah’s youth wing Pedri Kasman, Bogor Islam Forum secretary H. Willyudin Abdul Rasyid, ustadzah (female Islamic teacher) Irena Handono and lawyer Muh Burhanuddin.
“The witnesses are individuals who have denounced Ahok to the police for blasphemy,” Fifi told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
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