Indonesian capital governor declared suspect in blasphemy case

Indonesian capital governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama was declared suspect in religious blasphemy case on Wednesday following series of questioning process held at National Police Headquarters.

The suspect imposition against Basuki would immediately followed by the issuance of police's official letter to initiate legal investigation against Basuki.

Head of National Crime Police at the headquarters Ari Dono Sukmanto said that decision to declare suspect against Basuki was resulted from case screening session regarding the allegations against Basuki on Tuesday.

"Although there are different opinions among police investigators, most agreed that the case should be settled in an open trial," Ari told press conference at the headquarters.

Basuki, a Christian, made a blasphemous comment against the Koran, the holy book of Muslims who predominantly inhabited the nation.

Basuki's comment was made in September this year during his visit in Thousands Island district in northern Jakarta.

The comment had sparked massive demonstrations against Basuki, staged by hundreds of thousands of Muslim hardliners in the capital city that ended up with violence and vandalism on Nov. 4.

The demonstrators demanded legal proceeding against Basuki over his blasphemous comment.

Government later responded the demonstration by promising swift, transparent questioning process against Basuki within two weeks.

Basuki is now deactivated from his post related to his candidacy to run in Jakarta gubernatorial election which would be conducted in February next year. Enditem