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Police expect quick AGO approval of Ahok's dossier
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Stay alert: National Police chief Gen.Tito Karnavian explains the result of a case screening in the investigation into Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's alleged blasphemy in a press conference in Jakarta on Nov.16. (Antara/M.Agung Rajasa)
T
he National Police expect the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to soon declare the dossier on Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama complete to pave the way for immediate trial.
"Insya Allah (God willing), today [Monday] or tomorrow, the AGO will declare the dossier P-21 [complete]. We hope that this week we can submit the supporting evidence and hand over the suspect to the AGO,” National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said on Monday at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) headquarters in Central Jakarta.
After naming Ahok a blasphemy suspect on Nov. 16, police handed over Ahok's case dossier to the AGO on Friday. The AGO, meanwhile, pledged to complete the examination of the dossier in less than 14 days.
Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, sparked uproar among Islamic groups and communities after he made a comment on a verse in the Quran during a working visit to Thousand Islands regency in late September.
A number of leading Muslim figures have accused law enforcers of protecting Ahok, who is seeking reelection next year, in the case. Ahok, who previously served as deputy Jakarta governor, replaced President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo after the latter won the presidential election in 2014.
Tito added that he hoped the legal process against Ahok could be settled by the court as soon as possible.
On Nov. 4, more 100,000 people wearing white participated in a downtown rally to demand the prosecution of Ahok on blasphemy charges.
Meanwhile, leaders of the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), the initiator of the Nov. 4 rally, applauded the police swiftness in investigating the case.
“This case has caused a national uproar so it is better for prosecutors to detain Ahok,” GNPF-MUI supervisory board chairman and Islam Defenders Front leader Rizieq Shihab said. (hwa)
