- Title: Indonesia air drops leaflets warning against violent rallies by Islamist groups
- Date: 24th November 2016
- Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (FILE - NOVEMBER 4, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GATHERED FOR PROTEST AGAINST JAKARTA GOVERNOR BASUKI TJAHAJA PURNAMA PROTESTER HOLDING BANNER READING (Bahasa Indonesia): "ISLAM IS MY RELIGION/AHOK IS MY ENEMY" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS AND FLAGS OF ISLAMIST GROUPS
- Embargoed: 9th December 2016 08:18
- Keywords: Indonesia Jakarta leaflets security peace police protest
- Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- City: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00259SZEPV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Indonesian police air dropped leaflets warning against participating in violent rallies ahead of a potential rally on Friday (November 25).
Leaflets delivered via a helicopter on Tuesday (November 22) told residents not to "subvert the security of the country, president or the government" or risk being punished with a life sentence or death penalty.
The leaflets were distributed in parts of Jakarta on Monday (November 21) and Tuesday.
The warning came weeks after over 100,000 Muslims, led by hardline groups, took to the streets on November 4 to call for the ouster of Jakarta's governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy.
Purnama, the first Christian and ethnic Chinese in the job, triggered tensions after he commented about his opponents' use of the Koran in political campaigning.
Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, is running for re-election in February against two Muslim candidates, including the son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Widodo has been seen as one of the governor's main supporters.
Police have opened an investigation into the allegations that Purnama insulted the Koran and questioned him on Tuesday. Prosecutors are expected to bring a case to court in the coming weeks.
He could face up to five years in prison if found guilty of blasphemy.
Despite President Joko Widodo and moderate Muslim groups now calling for restraint and to respect the legal process, Indonesia's police chief said on Monday that some demonstrators may use upcoming rallies slated for Friday and December 2 to destabilize the government.
Widodo has held a series of meetings with top political, military, and religious figures since the rally and accused unidentified "political actors" of inflaming the recent situation.
One hardline group, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), said its members planned to take to the streets again next week, though the group has pledged to remain peaceful. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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