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Ahok calls on supporters to leave Brimob headquarters
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Supporters of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama cry after the North Jakarta District Court sentenced him to two years in prison for blasphemy in his final hearing on May 9. (JP/Seto Wardhana.)
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on-active Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has asked his supporters, who have gathered in front of the National Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) detention center in Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java, to disperse, saying that he was fine and safe inside the facility.
Ahok conveyed his message through a loudspeaker, which was connected to the room where he was being detained.
“To my friends in front of the Brimob headquarters, I’m calling on you, who have gathered here to support me, to disperse,” Ahok said as quoted by tribunnews.com on Thursday.
“I’m safe here. I hope you can disperse now. Otherwise, I will be taken to another place. Should I be taken outside Jakarta? Ladies and gentlemen, if you love me, please disperse,” he said.
As Thursday was a national holiday to celebrate Vesak Day, Ahok said, he hoped his supporters could go home. He also hoped there would be no candlelight vigil to show sympathy for his detention.
On Tuesday, the North Jakarta District Court sentenced Ahok to two years in prison for blasphemy. On the following day, his supporters held candlelight vigils and delivered speeches in several areas across Jakarta, including in front of the Brimob headquarters, to call for his detention to be delayed.
Ahok said he was worried some people would provoke them if they remained outside the detention center. (cal/ebf)
