Prosecution to Call Four Expert Witnesses in Monday's Session of Ahok Blasphemy Trial

Jakarta Globe
February 13, 2017 | 10:41 am
SHARE
Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama was formally charged with blasphemy of religion in November of last year after prominent Muslim hardliners orchestrated waves of mass demonstrations in Jakarta and elsewhere throughout the archipelago, calling for his arrest. (Antara Photo/Ramdani)
Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama was formally charged with blasphemy of religion in November of last year after prominent Muslim hardliners orchestrated waves of mass demonstrations in Jakarta and elsewhere throughout the archipelago, calling for his arrest. (Antara Photo/Ramdani)

Jakarta. The tenth session of the blasphemy trial against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on Monday (13/02) will feature four expert witnesses for the prosecution – including an expert on religion from the Indonesian Ulema Council, or MUI.

The trial is normally held on Tuesday every week but was rescheduled to Monday this week due to preparations for Wednesday's Jakarta gubernatorial election, which Ahok is still contesting.

Ahok's lawyer Humphrey Djemat said the four expert witnesses include Muhammad Amin Suma, an expert on Islam from the MUI, and Mahyuni, a linguistic expert and Ph.D. graduate from the University of Melbourne.

"There are also two experts on crime, Mudzakkir and Abdul Chair Ramadhan," Humprey said in Jakarta on Monday, as reported by state-run news agency Antara.

The trial will take place again at a converted auditorium in the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters in South Jakarta.

Ahok, who is a Christian of Chinese descent, was charged with blasphemy in November last year amid mounting pressure from Muslim hardliners, who staged a wave of mass demonstrations against him.

He is accused of having insulting Islam and the ulemas in a speech he made on Pramuka Island in Jakarta's Thousand Islands district, by reportedly saying that nobody should quote from the Koran for personal political gain.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

The Latest


Lifestyle 1 hours ago

Guardians of the Forest: How the Dayak Wehea Protect Their Ancestral Land

The Dayak Wehea serve as the last guardians of the Wehea Protected Forest, preserving their ancestral land amid modern challenges.
News 4 hours ago

Prabowo Eyes $44 Billion Budget Cuts by 2025 to Fund Danantara, Free Meals Program

Prabowo announces Rp 750T budget savings plan to fund Danantara and free meal (MBG) program by 2025.
Lifestyle 4 hours ago

Green Day vs. Linkin Park: Back-to-Back Jakarta Shows, Which Side Are You On?

Green Day and Linkin Park take over Jakarta with back-to-back shows! Punk vs. nu-metal—who will you choose?
News 5 hours ago

Prabowo Responds to Criticism Over 'Bloated' Cabinet at Gerindra's 17th Anniversary

President Prabowo Subianto addressed criticism of his 109-member "Red and White Cabinet," which has been labeled as "bloated".
Special Updates 5 hours ago

Energia Prima Nusantara Launches New Strategy to Spur Growth

Energia Prima Nusantara recently launched its strategy document that laid out its plans to spur business growth.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED