Ahok appeals conviction

JAKARTA: Jakarta’s jailed Christian governor yesterday appealed his conviction for blaspheming Islam, his legal team said, as the United Nations stepped up pressure on Indonesia to overturn the controversial sentence.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, was jailed for two years earlier this month for insulting the Quran.

Lawyers for Purnama, who is currently in detention, filed the appeal to the High Court in Jakarta.

They believe the judges’ decision did not properly take into account testimony from defence witnesses, lawyer Ronny Talapessy told AFP.

“The verdict not only stunned us and the prosecutors, the whole world was left in disbelief.”

The lawyers also urged the court to release Purnama on bail while his appeal is ongoing.

The sentence was widely criticised as too harsh after prosecutors had demanded that he be given just two years’ probation.

Prosecutors in the case have already filed an appeal against the decision to jail Purnama.

The appeal came as a group of UN human rights experts urged Indonesia to free the 50year-old and repeal the country’s blasphemy laws.

“We urge the government to overturn Mr Purnama’s sentence on appeal or to extend to him whatever form of clemency may be available under Indonesian law so that he may be released from prison immediately,” said a statement from the experts, who included special rapporteurs on freedom of religion and freedom of expression. – AFP