Jakarta governor a blasphemy suspect

Jakarta's Christian governor has been named as a suspect in a blasphemy case over accusations that he insulted the Koran, Indonesian police say.

Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama

Indonesian police have named Jakarta's Christian governor as a suspect in a blasphemy case. (AAP)

Indonesian police have named the minority Christian governor of the country's capital as a suspect in a blasphemy investigation in a major test of the Muslim-majority nation's reputation for religious toleration.

Earlier this month the capital Jakarta was rocked by a massive protest by conservative Muslims against the governor. One person died and dozens were injured in rioting.

Police announced at a press conference that the popular governor, Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, can't leave the country while the investigation is under way.

The accusation of blasphemy against Ahok, an ethnic Chinese and Christian who is an ally of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, has galvanized Jokowi's political opponents in the Muslim-majority nation of 250 million.


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Source: AAP


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