TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The panel of judges handling the divorce trial of former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) and Veronica Tan suggested Ahok be present in upcoming trial sessions.

Ahok’s legal attorney, Josefina Agatha Syukur, explained that the judge asked Ahok to be present in future trial sessions that focus on contesting each motion. Ahok is currently jailed at National Police’s mobile brigade detention center.

“There are still two more trials,” said Josefina at North Jakarta’s district court on Wednesday, February 21.

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According to Josefina, the Judge’s request must be discussed in advance with Ahok. She reasons that it would depend on whether the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) detention center would allow it or not.

“Pak Ahok’s presence in the trial will depend on the permission of the Brimob detention center,” said Josefina.

The judges decided to not present a mediation process and rather directly enter the principle case. This decision was taken following the absence of both Ahok and Veronica at their divorce trial. This was also based on Veronica Tan’s decision to not submit a legal attorney and hand the verdict to the panel of judges.

That specific statement from Veronica was contained in an affidavit letter that was presented in court through Ahok’s lawyer and sister-in-law Fifi Lety Indra.

IRSYAN HASYIM