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AGO sees no need to detain Ahok in blasphemy case
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No detention – Brig. Gen. Agus Andrianto, the general crimes director at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (center, left) hands over Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s case dossier to prosecutor Ali Mukartono from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in Jakarta on Nov.25. The AGO said it would not detain Ahok. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
T
he Attorney General's Office (AGO) has decided not to detain Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama as the blasphemy case proceeds.
"The AGO has a standard operating procedure of not detaining a suspect who was not detained during the police investigation," AGO spokesman M. Rum said on Thursday, effectively rejecting demands by conservative Muslim groups for his arrest.
(Read also: Ahok ready to face blasphemy trial: Lawyer)
Rum added that according to the prosecutor team examination, Ahok did not need to be detained and had always shown up for police interrogation.
A group called the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), which is organizing a rally in Jakarta on Friday, has demanded police detain Ahok.
Rum said the AGO would charge Ahok under Articles 156 and 156 of the Criminal Code, which carry maximum prison sentences of four years and five years, respectively.
According to criminal procedure law, a suspect facing imprisonment of less than five years does not need to be detained.
Ahok's lawyer Sirra Prayuna said Ahok would carry out his campaign activity as usual on Thursday afternoon.
"Today, he will continue to do the campaign activities to meet residents who have been waiting for him in Rumah Lembang," Sirra said, referring to Ahok's campaign headquarters on Jl. Taman Lembang, Menteng, Central Jakarta. (jun)
