TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The legal team representing inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok said that the withdrawal of appeal would not affect the petition to get a jail term suspension or arrest status change filed with the Jakarta High Court.
“We want [Ahok’s] status to be changed from a prison detainment to a house arrest,” Ahok’s legal team member Wayan said during a press conference held in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.
Earlier on May 9, 2017, the North Jakarta District handed down a two-year prison sentence to Ahok for being guilty of committing blasphemy. Through his legal team, Ahok filed an appeal, but it was recently withdrawn by Ahok’s wife, Veronica Tan.
According to Wayan, the legal process is still under way considering that the public prosecutor has submitted an appeal. Ahok’s legal team will continue to fight for the jail term suspension despite a possible appeal court in the future.
Wayan argues that the panel of judges had failed to provide a reason of why Ahok must be detained.
“The reason [for the imprisonment] are usually the risk of escaping, the possibility of destroying evidence, or others.”
It was only stated that the sentence was determined by the High Court Chairman and did not mention the panel of judges.
“If the Chairman can hand out sentences, then he can grant a jail term suspension,” Wayan said.
IRSYAN HASYIM | SSN