TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Tight screening applied at Ahok's final hearing
Change Size
Judgment day: Members of Islamic organizations attend the final hearing of Jakarta Governor "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
T
ight security checks have been implemented at the courtroom where the final hearing of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's blasphemy trial is being held at the Agriculture Ministry on Jl. RM Harsono, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, on Tuesday.
Court visitors, which comprise Ahok supporters and members of Muslim groups that have demanded the imprisonment of the governor for alleged blasphemy, have flocked to the ministry's auditorium since 7 a.m. The hearing is set to begin at 9 a.m.
The police let representatives of the groups enter the auditorium at 8 a.m. after they passed through a metal detector gate and underwent a manual security check. The police also requested male visitors remove their peci (caps) and turbans during the screening.
(Read also: Police close street ahead of Ahok's final hearing)
As many as 13,000 security personnel, consisting of police, military and Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) personnel, are guarding the final hearing. That number is four times higher than the number of security personnel deployed to secure Ahok's previous hearings. .
The Jakarta Police have received notification that a rally involving 5,000 people will take place outside the courtroom during the hearing.
Another rally will be held by Ahok supporters, who plan to erect a miniature of the monument of justice and freedom outside the courtroom. They will adorn the monument with thousands of roses. (ebf)
