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80 lawyers to accompany Ahok in blasphemy trial
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On guard -- Police officers are readied to secure the first blasphemy trial of non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama at the North Jakarta District Court, now temporarily located at the former Central Jakarta District Court building on Jl. Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
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akarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama will receive legal assistance from 80 lawyers for his blasphemy trial, which will start on Tuesday at the North Jakarta District Court – now temporarily located at the former Central Jakarta District Court building on Jl. Gajah Mada No.17, Central Jakarta.
Led by lawyer Sirra Prayuna, the legal team will assist Ahok to ensure the court’s judge panel that Ahok never had any intention to commit blasphemy against Islam and Muslim people in Indonesia.
One of Ahok's lawyers, Ronny Talapessy, said they were ready to face Tuesday’s trial, which was scheduled to be the reading of indictments.
(Read also: Ahok's next hearing scheduled for Dec. 20)
“Today, we will convey our exception against the indictments," Ronny told The Jakarta Post. He refused to reveal further details of the exception.
A panel comprised of five appointed judges from the North Jakarta District Court is scheduled to start the trial at 9 a.m. They are H. Dwirso Budi Santiarto, Jupriyadi, Abdul Rosyad, Joseph V Rahantokman and I Wayan Wirjana.
The Attorney General’s Office’s (AGO) prosecutor team led by Ali Mukartono has charged Ahok of violating Articles 156 and 156 (a) of the Criminal Code (KUHP) concerning blasphemy, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. This led to criticism because it took only less than a week for the prosecuting team to examine Ahok's 826-page case dossier.
Ahok was accused of blasphemy after he cited Surah Al Maidah 51 during his conversation with people in Thousand Islands during a visit on Sept.27. (ebf)
