REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Prosecutors in blasphemy case did not see any evidence Basuki Tjahaja Purnama had the intention to insult Islam. On the other hand, they acknowledged the defendant had caused public unrest and misunderstanding among the society.
However, the prosecutors saw Ahok has been showing good and cooperative manner during the trial. "Therefore, we ask the North Jakarta District court to sentence the defendant Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok with a year of imprisonment and two years of probation," said Head of Prosecutors Ali Mukartono in the Auditorium of Agricultural Ministry, Jakarta, on Thursday (April 20).
According to the prosecutors, the charge was based on evidences, namely information from 12 witnesses, video of Ahok's speech in Seribu Island and the defendant statement in the trial.
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The prosecutors noted Ahok had experienced a series of events before saying his statement. He joined Bangka Belitung election in 2007 and Jakarta election in 2017-2022. The intention was targeted to other people or political elites in the context of regional election.
"Considering that intention in Article 156a verse a of the Criminal Code aimed at rising hatred or insulting certain religion. Therefore, based on the evidences, that article was not appropriate to be implemented in this case," Ali explained.
The prosecutors charged Ahok with Article 156 of Criminal Code for doing crime in public, making hatred speech or insulting other society groups.