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'Ahok': Emotional scenes as blasphemy trial begins | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
There were emotional scenes in court on the first day of the blasphemy trial of Jakarta's governor, a Christian of Chinese descent. | |
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, cried as he denied allegations he insulted Islam. | |
He insisted his comments were aimed at politicians "incorrectly" using a Koranic verse against him, not at the verse itself. | |
Mr Purnama is the city's first non-Muslim governor in 50 years. | |
The case is being seen as a test of religious tolerance in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. | |
The prosecution said Mr Purnama insulted Islam by misusing a Koranic verse which suggests Muslims should not be ruled by non-Muslims to boost public support ahead of February's governorship election. | |
If convicted, he faces a maximum five-year jail sentence. After the short hearing, the trial was adjourned until 20 December. | |
Rights groups say the authorities have set a dangerous precedent in which a noisy hardline Islamic minority can influence the legal process, says the BBC's Rebecca Henschke in Jakarta. | |
Read more: Who is Jakarta's non-Muslim governor? | Read more: Who is Jakarta's non-Muslim governor? |
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. |
Seen as politically independent, he was popular for his tough stance against corruption, and for improving poor public transport and other public services. | |
What are the allegations? | What are the allegations? |
During campaigning in September, Mr Purnama made a speech where he said Islamic groups using a Koranic verse 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 complained to police, who began an investigation. Mr Purnama has repeatedly apologised but denied blasphemy. | |
His supporters say a widely-circulated video of the event had been edited and subtitled to make it appear he was criticising the verse, rather than those invoking it. | |
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. |
But observers say the laws are sometimes used against religious minorities. | |
Atheists too have been prosecuted, with one man sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail in 2012 for saying on Facebook that God does not exist. | |
Is there more to it? | Is there more to it? |
President Widodo has blamed "political actors" for taking advantage of the furore. | |
The case has benefitted Mr Purnama's rivals in the election race where he previously seen as the frontrunner. | |
Some observers say the case 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. | |
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%. |