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Agence France-Presse

Jakarta’s Christian governor choked back tears Tuesday as he gave an impassioned defence against charges of blasphemy, telling an Indonesian court he never intended to offend his Muslim countrymen.
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama - the first Christian to govern the capital in more than 50 years - is standing trial accused of insulting the Koran, an offence that carries a five-year jail term.
The high-profile case has gripped national attention, and stoked fears of growing intolerance towards minorities in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
The governor has apologised for his controversial remarks, which angered Muslims across Indonesia and drew tens of thousands to the streets of Jakarta in protests larger than any seen in many years.

Facing court for the first time, the governor gave an emotionally charged defence against the charges, pausing several times to compose himself as he maintained his innocence.
“I know I have to respect the holy verses of the Koran. I do not understand how I can be said to have offended Islam,” Purnama said, occasionally dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief.
Purnama, better known by his nickname Ahok, ignited a firestorm of criticism in September when he quoted the Islamic holy text while campaigning ahead of elections for the Jakarta governorship.
The governor accused his opponents of using a Koranic verse, which suggests Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders, in order to trick people into voting against him.

Purnama is running against two Muslim candidates in elections for city hall slated for February.
Critics say the controversy is as much about politics as religion, as the governor’s foes whip up anger to reduce his support ahead of the hotly contested poll.
The rise of political Islam requires a balancing act from Indonesian President Joko Widodo
He had long been the favourite to win the election owing to the popularity of his no-nonsense style and determination to clean up Jakarta, a crowded, polluted metropolis of 10 million.
But the scandal has eroded his chances of victory, with his opponents gaining ground since Purnama was named a suspect for blasphemy in November.



Prosecutor Ali Mukartono said the governor had “spoken a lie” and insulted Muslims, adding Indonesia’s top clerical council had declared his remarks blasphemous.
But Purnama said close Muslim family friends had played a enormous mentorship role in his life, and the allegations he had offended their religion hurt him deeply.
Protests by Islamic hardliners against Indonesian governor awaken fears for ethnic Chinese
“I am very sad. This accusation is the same as saying I have offended my adoptive parents and siblings, whom I love and they love me back,” he said, his voice cracking.
He also listed the many services he had provided for his Islamic constituents, including the construction of mosques, support for religious schools and donation of sacrificial cows on sacred days.

A small band of his supporters kept vigil outside the court as a larger congregation of hardline Islamists chanted and held signs depicting Purnama in prison garb behind bars.
The courtroom was surrounded by police, with the proceedings being broadcast live on national television.
The case has emboldened hardliners, analysts say, who have long opposed a Christian as governor and have used the blasphemy scandal to push their conservative agenda.
Rights groups want Indonesia’s archaic blasphemy laws overhauled, arguing they are exploited to persecute minorities.


Jakarta's Christian governor chokes back tears at his blasphemy trial

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as ‘Ahok’, faces up to five years in prison if found guilty of blasphemy. He is the first ethnic Chinese governor of Jakarta and the first Christian in more than half a century. Photo: AFP

FILE PHOTO: Indonesian President Joko Widodo is pictured at the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia November 3, 2015. REUTERS/Beawiharta/File Photo

FILE PHOTO - Members of hardline Muslim groups attend a protest against Jakarta's incumbent governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian running in the upcoming election, in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 4, 2016. REUTERS/Beawiharta/File Photo REUTERS PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2016 - SEARCH 'POY 2016' TO FIND ALL IMAGES

Police officers are deployed outside the court where the trial hearing of Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as "Ahok" is held in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. Ahok, who is on trial for alleged blasphemy, sobbed in court on Tuesday as he recalled the role of Muslim godparents in his childhood and said he would never intentionally insult Islam. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as "Ahok", sits on the defendant's chair at the start of his trial hearing at North Jakarta District Court in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. REUTERS/Tatan Syuflana/Pool

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Trial is seen as a test of religious freedom in the world largest Muslim-majority nation
