Jakarta. Lawyers for incumbent Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama have filed an appeal with the Jakarta High Court, claiming that there was interference in their client's blasphemy trial by certain parties who demanded that he should be jailed.

However, they did not provide any further details of the alleged intervention.

"I am still optimistic as I respect the court and the judges. Hopefully, the High Court will pay more serious attention to the evidence. There are many examples of cases where pressure was applied [to influence a certain outcome]. Do not allow Ahok's case be one of those. Do not allow innocent people to be punished," one of Ahok's lawyers, I Wayan Sudirta, said on Wednesday (10/05).

The High Court has yet to respond to the request to suspend Ahok's detention following the launch of an appeal.

Jakarta High Court spokesman Johannes Suhadi said the court would not be able to take a decision before receiving the case file from the North Jakarta Court.

"We are not able to decide on the suspension, despite receiving an official request, before we receive the case file," Johannes said.

The High Court is also unable to appoint judges to hear Ahok's appeal against the verdict.

Ahok was initially detained at Cipinang State Penitentiary in East Jakarta before being moved to the headquarters of the National Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) in Depok, West Java.