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2,500 police officers guard Ahok's blasphemy hearing
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Show of strength: Supporters of Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama stage a rally outside the temporary office of the North Jakarta District Court on Jl. Gajah Mada in Jakarta on Dec 20. About 2,500 police officers were deployed to guard the hearing on Tuesday. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he police have deployed 2,500 personnel to secure the fourth hearing in the blasphemy case involving Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama at the North Jakarta District Court on Tuesday.
"There will be 2,500 joint personnel who will secure the hearing," South Jakarta Police spokesman Comr. Purwanta said at the Ministry of Agriculture's auditorium building on Jl. RM Harsono, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, on Tuesday.
Purwanta added that the police officers would be divided into four security rings.
The first ring will cover the trial room while the second will include the auditorium area, which was used as a venue during the trial.
The third and fourth security rings will cover the outer parts of the building including the traffic around the area, he said.
(Read also: Ahok supporters to stage rallies until trial ends)
Both Ahok's supporters and the Muslim groups demanding the imprisonment of Ahok plan to stage rallies in front of the building, and thus would be separated to avoid a clash, he added.
He said that Ahok's supporters would be accommodated on the right side while the opposition would occupy the left side of the auditorium.
