TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or Ahok, was given a sentence of two-year jail term. He was convicted guilty of blaspheming Islam.
Protests spark as the sentence given was heavier that what the prosecutors recommended. But President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo appealed to all sides to respect the judges' decision.
The Christian politician was immediately escorted to Cipinang as instructed by chief judge Dwiarso Budi Santiarto.
Read: Ahok Supporters Crowd Police HQ
Ahok's supporters and activists protested the verdict. They held a peaceful rally in front of the Cipinang prison yesterday and disbanded at night.
The North Jakarta District Court's two-year jail time sentence was tougher than the prosecutors' demand of one-year imprisonment with two years of probation.
The judges' ruling was based on the fact that Ahok used the words "lied to by" the Al-Maidah:51 of the Quran, which they deem demeaning, degrading, and insulting the verse. As Al-Maidah:51 is part of the Quran, his actions are seen as an act of insult against the Quran, thus the defendant was sentenced guilty of blasphemy.
Read: Ahok Appeals for Blasphemy Guilty Verdict
Another argument is because Ahok made the statement in public, the Court believes that it was done consciously and in purpose.
The court disagrees with the prosecutors' indictment charging Ahok for violating the alternative article. During the trials, there was no information that public uproar was caused by the video uploaded by Buni Yani but instead was caused by the defendant's own words.
MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI | LARISSA HUDA
