Police arrest suspect for religious blasphemy

SURABAYA: The Probolinggo Police have detained and named Jazuli of Kebonagung subdistrict, Probolinggo regency, for alleged blasphemy, based on reports that he tore passages out of the Koran.

Head of the police's detective and crime unit Adj. Comr. Sunardi Riyono said the detention was based of the testimonies of a number of witnesses. Jazuli, he added, would be charged with violating the Criminal Code and could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted.

"We have a record on a cell phone of the suspect tearing up Koranic passages," Sunardi said Saturday.

Separately, the local leader of Nahdlatul Ulema (NU), As'ad Abu Hasan, has called on the Muslim community not to be easily provoked by the case. "We are helping the police with evidence to bring the suspect to court," he said on Saturday. - JP