Police name Jakarta’s ethnic Chinese governor a blasphemy suspect, order him not to leave country
The case is a major test for Muslim-majority Indonesia’s reputation for religious tolerance
Jakarta’s Christian governor was formally named a suspect on blasphemy allegations Wednesday, after claims that he insulted Islam sparked a violent mass protest by Muslim hardliners in the Indonesian capital.
After a lengthy preliminary investigation, police said that the allegations against Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who is also a member of Indonesia’s ethnic Chinese minority, should go to trial.
Religious groups in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country had demanded that Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, be prosecuted for allegedly insulting the Koran while campaigning in elections for the Jakarta governorship.
The governor, who is an ally of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, 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.
