REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The panel of judges in the alleged religious blasphemy case with Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) as the defendant decided to reject the exception of the defendant and his legal advisory. The decision was mentioned in the interim of the Ahok’s trial held in ex-Central Jakarta Distric Court, Gajah Mada Street, Jakarta, on Tuesday.
The judges argued that the exception had no legal basis. So, the trial should be continued to the main case. "Based on the consideration of the judges, the exception of the defendant and the legal advisors will be decided along with the judge's decision. Therefore, the objection cannot be accepted," said the Presiding Judge, Dwiarso Budi, at the hearing of interlocutory judgment in the Koesumah Atmadja courtroom, ex- Central Jakartan Distric Court, Gajah Mada Street, Central Jakarta, Tuesday.
He added that, because the defendant’s exception cannot be accepted and the charges of the prosecutor had been drafted carefully, completely and clearly, the indictments of the prosecutor was declared as valid to be used as the basic examination of the defendant at the trial. The judges also asked that the trial proceed the next agenda to the examination of witnesses that will be held in the auditorium of the Ministry of Agriculture, Harsono Street, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, on next Tuesday (January 3, 2017).
However, there was a request from the defendant which was met by the judges, namely the suspension of court fees until the judge's decision. After reading the verdict, the judges asked whether there were things to be conveyed by the defendant and the legal advisors or a response from the Public Prosecutor.
On that occasion, Ahok approached his legal advisors and said that he would make some consideration. "The honorable judges, we will consider it later," said Ahok.
The public prosecutor, Ali Mukartono, appreciated the decision of the judges. "We appreciated the decision read, before it, we discuss the agenda of the next, which is the examination of witnesses," he said.
