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Jailed former Jakarta governor seeks conviction review

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama wants to clear name, Indonesian Supreme Court to overturn blasphemy sentence
Jailed former Jakarta governor seeks conviction review

A file image of former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (2nd R), popularly known as Ahok, arriving at a courtroom for his verdict and sentence in his blasphemy trial in Jakarta on May 9, 2017. (Photo by Bay Ismoyo/AFP)

Published: February 21, 2018 06:00 AM GMT
Updated: March 02, 2018 05:02 AM GMT

Jakarta's former Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok has petitioned Indonesia's Supreme Court to overturn his conviction and two-year prison term for blasphemy. 

Supreme Court spokesman, Agung Abdullah, confirmed on Feb. 19 that Purnama filed for a review of his conviction on Feb. 2

Purnama was sentenced last year to two-years imprisonment after being found guilty for blasphemy for saying in a speech that there was no Islamic scripture requiring Muslims to vote for fellow Muslims in elections.

The speech prompted a series of rallies by hard-line Muslims calling for his imprisonment.

When jailed Purnama made the shock decision not to appeal, he said that he would put his fate in the Lord's hands.

According to Indonesia's legal system, convicts can file for a review if they find new evidence or if they believe their trial was flawed.

"There was no new evidence submitted. The documents stated that the judges made a great error in issuing the guilty verdict, arguing that it contradicted another court ruling," TheAustralian newspaper quoted the court spokesman as saying.

Ahok's lawyers could not be reached reach for comment.

Hard-line Muslim groups expressed anger at the news and called on the Supreme Court not to review the case.

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