Rizieq Shihab`s Camp to Counter Ahok`s Judicial Review Request

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A judicial review requested by Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or known as Ahok on his verdict of two years in prison for a religious blasphemy case sparked a reaction from the opposite side.

"Ahok’s judicial review request should be rejected," said Eggi Sudjana, who calls himself as the Ulema and Activist Defender Team leader, via a text message received by Tempo on Monday, February 19.

Read: Ahok Now Fluent in English, Mandarin after 9 Months in Prison

Eggi said he would call on the Supreme Court to refuse the judicial review request and will hold a press conference this afternoon.

"Reporters are invited to come to Eggi Sudjana and Partners office at Tanah Abang," added Eggi, who will also lead the welcoming ceremony of Islamic Defenders Front leader Rizieq Shihab from Saudi Arabia on February 21.

Supreme Court spokesperson Abdullah confirmed that the request was filed to the North Jakarta District Court on February 2, 2018.

"Currently, the file has not been received yet by the Supreme Court," he told Tempo on the same day.

Read: Ahok Does Not Deserve Clemency: Fadli Zon

A law expert from the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII) Mudzakir argued the chance for Ahok to be released from prison is fairly small. Should there be new evidence, Mudzakir added, it would still be difficult to change the previous verdict as Ahok was found guilty of committing a religious blasphemy.

Mudzakir called on Supreme Court judges to be careful in considering the judicial review requested by Ahok. According to Mudzakir, prosecutors' demand was lighter than the standard in religious blasphemy cases.

TEMPO.CO