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Ahok’s safety must be guaranteed: Lawyer
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Seeking justice: Blasphemy convict Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's lawyer, I Wayan Sudirta (center), accompanies Ahok's wife, Veronica Tan, who announced her husband's decision to withdraw his appeal in a press conference in Jakarta on May 23. (Antara/Wahyu Putro A)
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lasphemy convict Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s lawyer, I Wayan Sudirta, has asked authorities to guarantee the safety of his client if the non-active Jakarta governor is to be transferred from the Mobile Brigade’s (Brimob) detention facility to a penitentiary.
Sudirta said a guarantee of safety was needed, as Ahok had faced intimidation when he was taken to Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta following his trial, leading to his transfer to the Brimob detention facility in Kelapa Dua, Depok.
“He was threatened before. That’s why he was moved [to the Brimob detention facility]. This must be given serious attention. Don’t take it lightly,” Sudirta said as quoted by kompas.com on Saturday.
Certainty over where Ahok will serve his sentence depends on when his blasphemy charge document is returned to the North Jakarta District Court.
Ahok had filed an appeal with the Jakarta High Court after the North Jakarta District Court sentenced him to two years in prison, however, the appeal was withdrawn on May 22.
Prosecutors from the North Jakarta Prosecutor’s Office subsequently withdrew their appeal against the sentence on June 6. Ahok’s ruling is now final and legally binding.
“So the question is no longer where he will be detained because his status will be that of an inmate, not a detainee. He will serve his sentence at a penitentiary, not in a detention facility,” said Sudirta. He said Ahok’s final verdict letter would state where he would serve his sentence. (hol/ebf)
