Jakarta’s Christian ex-governor drops blasphemy appeal “for sake of the people”
World Watch Monitor Jakarta’s Christian ex-governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (also known as Ahok), has withdrawn his appeal against his two year prison sentence for blasphemy in a controversial case that has challenged religious pluralism in Indonesia, with repeated clashes between Ahok’s supporters and radical Islamic groups. It was for this reason, said Ahok, that he […]
Condemnation of Ahok blasphemy conviction and prison sentence grows
World Watch Monitor Tuesday’s verdict of an Indonesian court, sentencing Jakarta’s outgoing governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as ‘Ahok’, to two years in prison for blasphemy, has received widespread condemnation globally as politicians, academics and rights groups express their concern about religious pluralism in Indonesia. Ahok, a Chinese Christian, was charged with blasphemy after accusing […]
Ahok found guilty of blasphemy and sentenced to two years jail
World Watch Monitor (with DAVID ADAMS) In a verdict that surprised many, an Indonesian court has sentenced Jakarta’s outgoing governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as ‘Ahok’, to two years in prison for blasphemy. The sentence is higher than the prosecutors had asked for. The news was welcomed by Islamic hardliners who had gathered outside of the court, […]
In Indonesia, Ahok’s blasphemy charges reduced after failed re-election bid
World Watch Monitor On Thursday, after failing in his bid for re-election as Jakarta’s governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as “Ahok”, heard that he should at least avoid prison over alleged blasphemy charges. Prosecutors have downgraded the blasphemy charges against him and recommend that, if he is found guilty, Ahok will serve no prison time. This will […]
Indonesia’s Christian governor Ahok fails in re-election bid, as ‘blasphemy’ trial continues
World Watch Monitor Preliminary results suggest that Jakarta’s Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as “Ahok”), has failed in his re-election bid, as his trial for “blasphemy” goes on. Ahok is accused of insulting a Qur’anic verse during a campaign speech. Hard-line Islamist groups have rallied large crowds against him in recent months, yet he was […]
INDONESIA: JAKARTA’S GOVERNOR REVEALS REPEATED SECTARIAN ATTACKS IN TRIAL TESTING INDONESIA’S PLURALISM
VB SONATA, of World Watch Monitor, reports on Indonesia’s blasphemy trial of the Christian Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as ‘Ahok’)…
Blasphemy trial against Christian Jakarta Governor Ahok begins in Indonesia
World Watch Monitor Indonesia’s only Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as “Ahok”), fought back tears during the first day of his blasphemy trial on Tuesday. The governor of the Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, of Chinese descent, is alleged to have “misused” a Quranic verse (which, some say, suggests Muslims should not be ruled […]
Indonesia’s only Christian governor questioned by police amid ‘blasphemy’ furore
World Watch Monitor The only Christian governor in Indonesia is being investigated by police as a suspect in a blasphemy case, amid on-going calls from Muslim groups for his imprisonment. Investigators questioned the Governor of Jakarta, Barsuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as “Ahok”, for eight hours at the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta last week. […]