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Jakarta Governor may escape jail term

Jakarta’s Christian Governor may escape jail for alleged blasphemy after prosecutors yesterday recommended only probation.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. Photo: AP

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. Photo: AP

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Jakarta’s Christian Governor may escape jail for alleged blasphemy after prosecutors yesterday recommended only probation.

The recommendation of two years probation in the trial of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (picture), with a possible one-year jail term if he commits a crime during that period, was lighter than expected, as he could have been sent to prison for up to five years.

Chief prosecutor Ali Mukartono said a light sentence was being recommended as Purnama — known by his Chinese nickname of “Ahok” — had contributed to “advancing the city of Jakarta” and had acted politely during his trial.

“If within the two years, Ahok doesn’t commit any new criminal act, like corruption, stealing ... he will be free,” said his lawyer I Wayan Sudirta. “If within those two years he does commit a criminal act, he has to serve the one-year jail sentence.”

Purnama, Jakarta’s first ethnic Chinese leader, has denied the blasphemy charges.

The trial started in December, with both the prosecution and defence calling more than 40 witnesses. A verdict is expected in the coming weeks. A sentence recommendation is a normal step in an Indonesian court case.

The controversy began in September when Purnama, known for his outspoken style, outraged Muslims when he controversially quoted a passage from the Islamic holy text ahead of elections for the Jakarta governorship. He insinuated that his opponents had used a Quranic verse to trick people into voting against him.

The Governor apologised but Indonesia’s highest clerical body declared the remarks blasphemous and urged the authorities to bring charges against him. AGENCIES

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