- Title: Hardline Muslim cleric provides testimony in Jakarta governor's blasphemy trial
- Date: 28th February 2017
- Summary: PURNAMA'S SUPPORTERS DANCING WAVING INDONESIA FLAG SUPPORTERS DANCING SUPPORTERS DANCING BEHIND BARBWIRE
- Embargoed: 14th March 2017 04:47
- Keywords: Indonesia politics court Purnama witness blasphemy
- Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- City: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
- Reuters ID: LVA00465FORID
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Habib Rizieq, the head of the hardline group Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), attended the blasphemy trial of Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama on Tuesday (February 28).
The case is seen as a test of religious freedom in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.
Purnama told the court he had not intended any insult during a trip to islands off Jakarta when he commented on his opponents' use of the Koran in political campaigning.
The governor also said that his comments were targeted at rival politicians trying to get an unfair advantage in the election by saying that voters should not support a non-Muslim.
FPI had said it wanted the governor to be arrested immediately.
Purnama's lawyer, Humphrey Djemat, said Rizieq should not be made an expert witness in court.
"We have a principle that the expert witness should not have a conflict of interest, for an example, how he's working for the benefit of MUI (Indonesia Ulema Council). So now they must evaluate on it, that's the principle," he said.
A lawyer and Muslim group supporter, Kapitra said that the court process was run according to regulations.
"The trial is determined by a panel of judges and the expert witnesses are needed for the prosecutors so it's no problem at all," he said to media before he entered the court room.
Hundreds of anti-Purnama protesters as well as those supporting the governor gathered around the court, separated by police guards.
Purnama's trial for blasphemy for allegedly insulting the Koran has overshadowed the governor election in the Indonesian capital.
Anies Baswedan is set to take on Purnama, Jakarta's first Christian and ethnic Chinese governor, in a second-round vote on April 19. Purnama got the most votes in a first round, on February 15, but not by enough to avoid a run-off, unofficial counts show. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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