Repeal blasphemy law, Jakarta urged

Showing displeasure: Ahok’s supporters gathering at City Hall a day after a court sentenced him to two years in jail following blasphemy charges. — Reuters

Jakarta: Indonesia is facing renewed calls to repeal its controversial blasphemy law after the jailing of Jakarta’s Christian governor, with critics pointing to a sharp increase in its use to target minorities.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama – known by his nickname Ahok – was jailed for two years on Tuesday for blasphemy over comments he made about Islam while campaigning for re-election to the capital of the Muslim-majority nation, a far harsher sentence than had been expected.