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Ahok braces for third hearing of blasphemy trial
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Staying firm: Incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama speaks to journalists at his campaign headquarters in Central Jakarta on Dec. 23. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
J
akarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama arrived at the Agriculture Ministry complex in South Jakarta on Tuesday morning to attend the third hearing of his blasphemy trial.
The governor and his entourage arrived shortly after 8 a.m., although the hearing, scheduled to announce the judges’ interlocutory decision regarding Ahok's refutation of the charges conveyed on Dec. 13, will start at 9 a.m.
The Supreme Court decided last week to move Ahok’s blasphemy trial to the ministry’s main building from the North Jakarta District Court, which is temporarily located at the former Central Jakarta District Court building on Jl. Gajah Mada in Central Jakarta.
(Read also: No merry Christmas for Ahok as blasphemy trial awaits)
Not only considered safer, the Supreme Court is said to have a higher capacity than the previous location, which could only accommodate 80 visitors, Supreme Court spokesman Ridwan Mansyur said.
Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent in the predominantly Muslim country, sparked uproar among Muslim groups after he made a comment regarding a Quranic verse during a visit to Thousand Islands regency in late September.
On Nov. 4 and Dec. 2, a huge crowd of protesters flooded the streets to urge authorities to detain Ahok for blasphemy. (hwa)
