Jakarta’s Christian governor jailed on blasphemy charges
Jakarta’s Christian governor was jailed for two years on Tuesday after being found guilty of blasphemy, capping a saga seen as a test of religious tolerance in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
Islamic hardliners outside the Jakarta court cheered as news came through that Basuki Tjahaja Purnama was to be sent to prison, a shock decision after prosecutors recommended only two years probation.
Purnama was hauled into court last year to face trial for allegedly insulting Islam while campaigning for re-election, in a case critics said was politically motivated.
The trial came after a series of protests against the leader, known by his nickname Ahok, in the capital that drew hundreds of thousands onto the streets.
His once unassailable opinion poll lead shrank amid the controversy and he lost the race to lead Jakarta last month to a Muslim challenger, a result that fuelled fears of Indonesia’s moderate brand of Islam coming under threat from increasingly influential radicals.
The five-judge panel at the Jakarta court found Purnama guilty of blasphemy and jailed him for two years.
Purnama said he would appeal. Blasphemy carries a maximum jail term of five years in Indonesia.
The controversy began in September when Purnama, known for his outspoken style, offended Muslims after he quoted a passage from the Quran during his re-election campaign.
He insinuated that his opponents had used a Quranic verse to trick people into voting against him. An edited version of his speech went viral online, sparking outrage.