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'Ahok': Jakarta governor's blasphemy trial begins | 'Ahok': Jakarta governor's blasphemy trial begins |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The governor of Jakarta, a Christian of Chinese descent, has denied he intended to insult Islam, during his blasphemy trial in the Indonesian capital. | |
In an opening statement, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, insisted his comments were aimed at politicians "incorrectly" using a Koranic verse. | |
Security is tight as both detractors and supporters of Mr Purnama gather outside the court. | |
The case is being seen as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia. | The case is being seen as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia. |
Mr Purnama, who faces a maximum five-year jail sentence, is the city's first non-Muslim governor in more than 50 years. | |
There are some who fear the trial signals the growing influence of hardliners in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. | |
Read more: Who is Jakarta's non-Muslim governor? | |
Mr Purnama arrived at the court alongside lawyers and police and bowed to the five judges sitting on the trial before taking his seat. | Mr Purnama arrived at the court alongside lawyers and police and bowed to the five judges sitting on the trial before taking his seat. |
He became emotional as he told the court about his Muslim godparents. | |
"As a person who grew up in Islamic circles, is not possible for me to insult Islam," he said. | |
But prosecutor Ali Mukartono said Mr Purnama insulted Islam by misusing a Koranic verse to increase his chances in an upcoming governorship election. | |
Who is 'Ahok'? | Who is 'Ahok'? |
A businessman who became Jakarta's deputy governor, Mr Purnama was made governor when his predecessor Joko Widodo became president in 2014. | A businessman who became Jakarta's deputy governor, Mr Purnama was made governor when his predecessor Joko Widodo became president in 2014. |
At the time, the hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) said it did not want him to succeed Mr Widodo, arguing a Christian should not govern a Muslim-majority city. They have played a major role in the latest protests against the governor. | At the time, the hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) said it did not want him to succeed Mr Widodo, arguing a Christian should not govern a Muslim-majority city. They have played a major role in the latest protests against the governor. |
He is seen as a political independent and is popular for his tough stance against corruption. As governor, he put his focus firmly on improving public transport and access to healthcare and education. | He is seen as a political independent and is popular for his tough stance against corruption. As governor, he put his focus firmly on improving public transport and access to healthcare and education. |
Elections for Jakarta's governorship are due in February 2017 and Mr Purnama is among several candidates in contention. | Elections for Jakarta's governorship are due in February 2017 and Mr Purnama is among several candidates in contention. |
What are the allegations? | What are the allegations? |
While campaigning for the elections in September, Mr Purnama made a speech where he said that Islamic groups who were using a Koranic verse to lobby against him were deceiving voters. | While campaigning for the elections in September, Mr Purnama made a speech where he said that Islamic groups who were using a Koranic verse to lobby against him were deceiving voters. |
The verse is interpreted by some as prohibiting Muslims from living under the leadership of a non-Muslim. | The verse is interpreted by some as prohibiting Muslims from living under the leadership of a non-Muslim. |
Islamic groups said he had criticised the Koran and lodged complaints with police. Mr Purnama apologised but denied blasphemy. | Islamic groups said he had criticised the Koran and lodged complaints with police. Mr Purnama apologised but denied blasphemy. |
His supporters say that a video of the event which was widely circulated had been edited and subtitled to make it appear as if he was criticising the verse, rather than those who invoked it. | His supporters say that a video of the event which was widely circulated had been edited and subtitled to make it appear as if he was criticising the verse, rather than those who invoked it. |
In November, about 100,000 Islamists took to the streets demanding his arrest in a protest that turned violent. | |
The president promised a transparent investigation and police officially declared Mr Purnama a suspect on 16 November. | The president promised a transparent investigation and police officially declared Mr Purnama a suspect on 16 November. |
What is the significance of a blasphemy charge? | What is the significance of a blasphemy charge? |
Although Indonesia's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the country only recognises six religions and has tough penalties for blasphemy against any of them. | Although Indonesia's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the country only recognises six religions and has tough penalties for blasphemy against any of them. |
In practice, observers say the laws are often used to defend the Sunni majority, with Shia Muslims and other minority groups often the target of prosecutions. | In practice, observers say the laws are often used to defend the Sunni majority, with Shia Muslims and other minority groups often the target of prosecutions. |
Atheists too have been prosecuted, with one man sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail in 2012 for saying on Facebook God does not exist. | |
Is there more to it? | Is there more to it? |
President Widodo has blamed "political actors" for trying to take advantage of the furore. | President Widodo has blamed "political actors" for trying to take advantage of the furore. |
The case has benefitted Mr Purnama's rivals in the election race, which he was seen as the frontrunner before the blasphemy allegations. | The case has benefitted Mr Purnama's rivals in the election race, which he was seen as the frontrunner before the blasphemy allegations. |
Some have suggested the case also shows that Indonesia, historically a moderate Muslim nation, is becoming more radical. | Some have suggested the case also shows that Indonesia, historically a moderate Muslim nation, is becoming more radical. |
However, Indonesia's largest Islamic group, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), told its members not to take part in the anti-Ahok rallies. | However, Indonesia's largest Islamic group, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), told its members not to take part in the anti-Ahok rallies. |
Others fear that the move against Mr Purnama is about his ethnicity, although this is denied by protest organisers. | Others fear that the move against Mr Purnama is about his ethnicity, although this is denied by protest organisers. |
In 1998, a wave of anti-Chinese sentiment led to mobs looting and burning Chinese-owned shops and houses, leaving more than 1,000 people dead. | In 1998, a wave of anti-Chinese sentiment led to mobs looting and burning Chinese-owned shops and houses, leaving more than 1,000 people dead. |
Christians represent less than 10% of the country's 250 million people, and ethnic Chinese about 1%. | Christians represent less than 10% of the country's 250 million people, and ethnic Chinese about 1%. |