JAKARTA - Jakarta's Christian governor was formally named a suspect on blasphemy allegations Wednesday, after claims that he insulted Islam sparked a violent mass protest by Muslim hardliners in the Indonesian capital. Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, speaking to journalists at his office in Jakarta, in 2014. After a lengthy preliminary investigation, police said that the allegations against Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who is also a member of Indonesia's ethnic Chinese minority, should go to trial. The governor had accused his opponents of using a Koranic verse, which suggests Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders, in order to trick people into voting against him. After a weeks-long investigation which involved questioning scores of witnesses, national police chief detective Ari Dono told reporters: "Basuki Tjahaja Purnama has been named suspect."

Source: Bangkok Post November 16, 2016 06:33 UTC