Indonesia police to pursue blasphemy case against Christian governor

Indonesian police on Wednesday said they would investigate a blasphemy complaint by Muslim groups against the Christian governor of Jakarta, amid simmering religious and ethnic tension in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.

Muslim groups claim Basuki Tjahaja (ja, higher) Purnama insulted the Koran in a speech in September, when he accused his opponents of using a verse from the holy book to encourage people not to vote for him.

“Even though there was no consensus, the dominant opinion is that this case should be settled in court. The next phase of the investigation will be intensified. Basuki Tjahaja (ja, higher) Purnama is not allowed to leave Indonesia.“said Ari Dono Sukmanto, Chief, National Police Criminal Investigation Department.

Purnama denies blasphemy, but has apologised for the comments he made in his speech.

His Muslim critics have demanded that he resign.

“This is a country with a rule of law. If I become the suspect, I’ll follow the legal proceedings, whether I’m innocent or not, I’ll follow the legal procedures. But I’m convinced that I am innocent, it wasn’t my intention,“said Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Jakarta Governor.

More than 100,000 Muslims marched against the governor earlier this month – calling on voters not to re-elect him in February.

It all comes amid simmering religious and ethnic tensions in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.