U.N. experts urge Indonesia to overturn Jakarta governor's blasphemy conviction


  • World
  • Monday, 22 May 2017

File Photo - Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is seen inside a court during his trial for blasphemy in Jakarta, Indonesia May 9, 2017 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/ Sigid Kurniawan/via REUTERS

GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N. experts urged Indonesia on Monday to free Jakarta's Christian governor, who was jailed this month for blasphemy - a conviction that risks encouraging Islamists to challenge secularism in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese popularly known as "Ahok", was jailed on May 9 for a longer-than-expected two years under a fatwa from Indonesia's highest Muslim clerical council and after aggressive media campaigns and violent protests.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Yellen says range of options to deal with frozen Russian assets
Kenyan military deployed as East Africa floods kill dozens
Lukashenko talks up threats to Belarus to justify 'nuclear deterrence'
Italy's state TV journalists to strike over Meloni government's grip
Harvey Weinstein's conviction overturned by top New York court
Russia says it may downgrade ties with US if its assets are confiscated
Iraq hangs 11 convicted of terrorism in latest mass executions, security officials say
Spain prosecutor asks court to throw out corruption case against PM Sanchez's wife
India says US human rights report "deeply biased"
Lawyers seek UN help for release of American held by the Taliban

Others Also Read