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Police limit number of visitors in Ahok trial
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Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama greets visitors at the North Jakarta District Court on Tuesday. Ahok is being tried for allegedly committing blasphemy. (Tribunnews/POOL/Irwan Rismawan/ via jP)
T
he police have limited the number of visitors allowed to enter the Ministry of Agriculture's auditorium on Jl. RM Harsono, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, the place where Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama faces trial on allegations of blasphemy.
The police only let in dozens of visitors, which consist of Ahok supporters and opposition from several Muslim organizations, who wore special ID cards as a requirement to enter the trial area, which can accommodate 100 visitors.
The police also prohibited television, newspaper and online reporters from entering the venue to broadcast and live report in real time the ongoing trial.
(Read also: Women's group demands fair trial for Ahok)
Spokesman of the North Jakarta District Court Didik Wuryanto said that according to the law, the hearing of witnesses testimonies could not be aired.
"The hearing of witnesses testimonies can not be aired to prevent them from listening to each other's information. Therefore, they will only convey what they know before the judges, not opinion," Didik said.
Meanwhile, Ahok came to the auditorium at around 8 a.m. without giving a statement to the media.
Presiding judge Dwiarso Budi Santiarto started the trial at 9 a.m. (jun)
