Jakarta Governor Purnama stands trial for insulting Islam

The governor of the Indonesian capital went on trial Tuesday on charges of blasphemy over remarks insulting to Muslims in his speech in September.

The governor of the Indonesian capital went on trial Tuesday on charges of blasphemy over remarks insulting to Muslims in his speech in September.

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is accused of “publicly expressing hostility to, abusing and disparaging” a religion, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

The blasphemy allegations stem from remarks made by Purnama in September, when he was accusing his opponents of using a verse from the Quran to deceive voters.

Purnama, better known by his nickname Ahok, could be jailed for up to five years if found guilty of breaking Indonesia’s blasphemy laws.