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View all search resultsLawyers expect all parties to respect Ahok's legal process
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Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama (center) enters the courtroom prior to the start of his trial hearing at the North Jakarta District Court in Jakarta, on Tuesday. Ahok is on trial on accusation of blasphemy following his remark about a passage in the Quran that could be interpreted as prohibiting Muslims from accepting non-Muslims as leaders. (AP/Tatan Syuflana, Pool)
T
he lawyer team of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama said they expected all parties to respect the ongoing legal process of the blasphemy case implicating him, following mounting public pressure demanding that judges detain and imprison the governor.
"We hope that no one will force their demands to see someone imprisoned. We have the presumption of innocence principle, so let's respect the trial process," Sirra told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
(Read also: Less resistance expected as trial on Ahok-Djarot campaign opposition begins)
During yesterday's hearing session at the North Jakarta District Court, now temporarily located at the former Central Jakarta District Court building on Jl. Gajah Mada No. 17, Central Jakarta, hundreds of people from several Muslim organizations protested in front of the court to demand the arrest and imprisonment of Ahok.
Sirra said he hoped such a thing would not influence the court. A judge's decision should only be based on the facts conveyed in court, he said.
On the hearing on Tuesday, the legal team referred to the legal process against Ahok as a “trial by mob” that caused law enforcers to set aside the requirements under the Criminal Procedure Law in handling the case.
As an example, Sirra said, the naming of Ahok as a suspect was not preceded by the letters ordering the start of an investigation, or better known as "Sprindik". The letter was issued after the police named Ahok a suspect on Nov. 16, he said.
"We just want to remind the law enforcers that every legal action shall be based on the Criminal Procedure Law," Sirra said. (dan)
