Christian governor of Jakarta imprisoned for blasphemy

Christian governor of Jakarta imprisoned for blasphemy
By Euronews
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Outgoing governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama - known as Ahok - was sentenced to two years on accusations of insulting Islam.

The outgoing governor of Jakarta has been sentenced to two years in jail for blasphemy.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, is accused of insulting Islam during his campaign for re-election in Muslim-majority Indonesia.

The outcome is considered a setback for religious tolerance under a government that has sought to stamp out radical groups.

His sentence is harsher than the one-year suspended term prosecutors had demanded.

But his opponents claim it was too lenient. They called for five years in prison, or even the death sentence.

Ahok was taken into custody immediately after the court hearing. His deputy will govern the capital until October, when his term ends.

He has seven days to appeal the sentence.

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