Probe into alleged blasphemy by Jakarta governor begins
Gov. Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama attends police HQ to face inquiry into video where he is said to publicly insult Islam
Thousands of people comprised of Islamic-based groups take a rally during a protest in Jakarta, Indonesia, on November 04, 2016 in respond to Jakarta Governor, Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama alleged religious defamation about Surah al-Maidah verse 51 of the Quran. The protesters demand Indonesian Police to process the report filed against the governor. The Tribe-Religion-Race (SARA) issue is an sensitive issues in Indonesia which had been warned since new-regime era.
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By Ainur Rohmah
TUBAN, Indonesia
Police have questioned Indonesia’s most prominent governor, whose alleged blasphemy sparked a mass demonstration in the country’s capital that descended into violence.
Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama attended an appointment at National Police Headquarters on Monday morning, accompanied by his campaign team and lawyers.
There, the head of the criminal section of the National Police said Ahok was presented with a video of a speech he made to Thousand Islands residents — a region of Jakarta — and the testimonies of several witnesses.
“We need him to confirm the [validity of the] video, particularly related to the testimony of expert witnesses,” said Inspector Gen. Ari Dono Sukmanto.