Jakarta governor awaits blasphemy decision 20161116 p5uyf0.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Jakarta governor a blasphemy suspect

AFP

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Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as "Ahok", center, talks to the media after being questioned by investigators at the National Police Headquarters on Monday. (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.

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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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