Friday, September 29, 2023

Rights Group Questions Prosecutors' Integrity in Ahok Blasphemy Case

Alin Almanar
December 6, 2016 | 5:04 pm
SHARE
Attorney General H.M. Prasetyo has come under harsh criticism for suggesting that national antigraft body's authority to prosecute offenders be handed over to, or managed by, his office. (Antara Photo/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
Attorney General H.M. Prasetyo has come under harsh criticism for suggesting that national antigraft body's authority to prosecute offenders be handed over to, or managed by, his office. (Antara Photo/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)

Jakarta. A pro-democracy group has lashed out against what it called "unprofessional conduct" by prosecutors in the blasphemy case against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

Prosecutors announced that they have completed a study of the case dossier just three days after receiving it from police investigators, and handed over the files to the court only a few hours later.

Ahok's trial will commence on Dec. 13.

According to the Setara Institute, a Jakarta-based nongovernmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, human rights and political freedom, the speed at which prosecutors completed the 826-page dossier shows that they were not serious in examining it.

Advertisement

"Prosecutors did not play their role as supervisors; they merely delivered the dossier to court," Setara Institute chairman Hendardi said on Tuesday (06/12).

"There should have been a thorough examination to identify potential errors. It is apparent that both the professionalism and impartiality of prosecutors are questionable," he added.

A doctored video of a speech Ahok made on Pramuka Island in Jakarta's Thousand Islands district in September went viral and prompted several Muslim groups to report him to the police for blasphemy.

Police named the governor a blasphemy suspect last month amid mounting pressure from hardline Muslim groups and a series of mass protests demanding his immediate arrest.

"If public pressure can influence law enforcement, the justice system is in peril," Hendardi said.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

POPULAR READS


News 1 hours ago

KPK Discovers Firearms, Multinational Currency Stash at Agriculture Minister's Residence

As of now, the KPK has not identified any suspects in connection with the ongoing corruption investigation.
News 5 hours ago

Jokowi to Attend ASEAN-GCC Summit in Saudi Next Month

Jokowi will also hold bilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman during the trip.
Business 7 hours ago

Trade Minister Engages with Traders After Banning Social Media Companies from E-Commerce Activities

The dispute between TikTok and the government took a new turn after a minister accused the platform of mobilizing social media influencers.
Business 21 hours ago

Indonesia, Malaysia Seek to Counter Negative Perception of Palm Oil in India

In recent times, negative campaigns against palm oil in India have intensified.
Special Updates Sep 28, 2023 | 3:41 pm

Pertamina's Balikpapan Refinery Master Plan Reports 82 Pct Progress

The Balikpapan refinery master plan is expected to help Indonesia cut down its oil fuel imports.
COPYRIGHT © 2023 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED