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Jakarta Post

Police expect Ahok’s trial to be aired live

Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Wed, November 16, 2016 Published on Nov. 16, 2016 Published on 2016-11-16T15:32:43+07:00

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National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian speaks to the media in relation to the screening of a blasphemy case at the National Police's headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday. Police recently named inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama a suspect in the case. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian speaks to the media in relation to the screening of a blasphemy case at the National Police's headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday. Police recently named inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama a suspect in the case. (Antara/M Agung Rajasa)

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s a result of the dissenting opinion within the police's investigation team that eventually named Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama a suspect for alleged blasphemy, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian hoped that Ahok's future trial would be aired live by television stations so the public could witness the hearings firsthand. 

"Police have decided to bring the case to an open trial. Therefore, just like Jessica's case for example, anyone can see the testimonies and opinion conveyed in the hearing. We hand over the case's decision to the judges," Tito said on Wednesday, referring to the recent high-profile murder trial implicating Jessica Kumala Wongso. 

(Read also:Ahok named suspect in blasphemy case)

Tito said there was dissenting opinion among the 21 police officers who investigated the case under the leadership of National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) general crimes director Brig. Gen. Agus Andrianto. 

Views had differed because of the contrasting opinions given by dozens of experts who had testified in this case, Tito said. 

Some of the officers saw a criminal element in Ahok's speech, which made reference to a Quranic verse on Sept. 27 during an event in Thousand Islands regency, while some did not. However, most of the investigators took the stance that Ahok’s speech was an act of criminality, Tito said. 

After naming Ahok a suspect, police would soon issue a letter of investigation, which would hand over the case to the prosecutor. (jun)

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