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Sentencing hearing against Ahok to stay on schedule: Court spokesperson
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Hundreds of Muslim demonstrators gather in front of the House of Representatives compound in Central Jakarta on Feb. 21 to demand the removal of Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who is facing a blasphemy case. (kompas.com/Alsadad Rudi)
T
he North Jakarta District Court will not change its April 11 schedule for the sentencing demand of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja in a blasphemy case, despite a formal request for a postponement made by the Jakarta Police.
"Only the panel of judges has the authority to decide on this matter. They will announce their decision at the hearing,” North Jakarta District Court spokesperson Hasoloan Sianturi said on Thursday as quoted by tempo.co.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Iriawan had asked the court to postpone Ahok’s sentencing demand to after the election runoff, expressing concerns that the trial might further stoke tension in the capital ahead of voting day on April 19.
Prosecutors are expected to make their sentence demand next Tuesday and Ahok is scheduled to read out his defense statement on April 17, just two days before voting in the runoff to Jakarta’s gubernatorial election.
Hasoloan said he did not know whether the court had received Iriawan’s letter asking to postpone the hearing. (kkk)
