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Long marches against Ahok to continue
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Thousands of people led by the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Council of Ulema's Fatwa (GNPF MUI) stage a massive rally in protest against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s alleged blasphemous remarks in Jakarta, Nov. 4, 2016. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
T
he National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Council's Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) held a long march on Friday to demand a maximum sentence of five years for Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for his blasphemy case.
The long march, which was attended by approximately 1,500 people, many of whom were children, started at noon from the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta to the final destination at the former Central Jakarta District Court building on Jl. Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta, which was initially used by the North Jakarta District Court to try Ahok.
Approximately 4,600 police personnel secured the route alongside the long march. Some of them were stationed around the nearby State Palace to clear the area.
There were eight main representatives of the long march, one of whom was Muslim People's Forum (FUI) cleric Bernard Abdul Jabbar. North Jakarta District Court spokesperson Hasoloan Sianturi emphasized that the long march would not interfere with the ongoing legal process.
"Our constitution guarantees that the authority of the justices cannot be intervened with in anyway," he said.
Participants of the long march have promised to return for May 5 and May 9 rallies for the same purpose. On the latter date, the court is to decide on Ahok's verdict. (dea)
