TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Public prosecutors charged the blasphemy defendant Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok with one year term in jail and two years probation in today`s hearing, April 20, 2107.
"We call for the judge to sentence the defendant Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok for expressing hate or insult toward a section of the Indonesian people as stated in Article 156 of the Criminal Code," said prosecutor Ali Mukartono at today’s trial in Auditorium of Agriculture Ministry, Ragunan, South Jakarta on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
The prosecutor viewed that the inactive Jakarta Governor’s working visit to the Seribu Island has disturbed the public. In addition, Ahok’s act was deemed to have insulted several parties of the Indonesian people.
However, Ahok has helped to build the humanist Jakarta as the extenuating circumstances. "The defendant has been following the trial in a good manner and has helped in development," Ali said during the charge hearing.
Ahok and his advocate will submit a plea. A Presiding Judge Dwiarso Budi Santiarto said the plea hearing will be held on Tuesday next week, April 25, 2017.
The trial that was previously scheduled on April 11 had to be postponed to April 20, 2017. Public prosecutor team leader Ali Mukartono requested a reschedule for the trial since the charges were not completed yet.
On April 4, 2017, Metro Jaya Police Chief Insp. Gen. Mochammad Iriawan suggested the court postpone the blasphemy trial due to Jakarta election’s security.
EGI ADYATAMA
