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Foreign governments warn citizens about Indonesia protest

(Associated Press)

Jakarta

Thu, December 1, 2016 Published on Dec. 1, 2016 Published on 2016-12-01T13:54:21+07:00

Indonesian soldiers hold up headbands in the color of the national Red-White flag during a military-sponsored interfaith rally held ahead of the planned Dec. 2 Muslim rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. (AP/Achmad Ibrahim)

F

oreign governments are warning citizens in Indonesia to stay away from central Jakarta ahead of a huge rally against the capital's minority Christian Governor Basuki Ähok"Tjahaja Purnama.

The United States, Japan and Australia issued advisories highlighting the possibility of Friday's protest turning violent or the risk extremists could stage an attack.

A related protest on Nov. 4 drew more than 100,000 people demanding the arrest of Ahok, who is being prosecuted for blasphemy, a criminal offense in Muslim-majority Indonesia. After nightfall, hard-liners clashed with police, with one death and dozens injured.

Security plans call for a heavy police and military presence and organizers have agreed to concentrate the rally around the national monument in the city to limit disruption.