Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's legal team said that they hoped the presiding judges would accept the evidence they conveyed during the first hearing into their client's blasphemy case on Dec. 13 and dismiss the charges against him.
"We really hope the judges would accept our evidence. The conveyed evidence has explained why the judges need to dismiss this case," Ahok's lawyer Josefina Syukur told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
During Tuesday's session of the North Jakarta District Court, which is now temporarily located at the former Central Jakarta District Court building on Jl. Gajah Mada in Central Jakarta, Ahok tried to convince the judges that he had never had the intention to insult Islam when he mentioned Surah Al Maidah 51, a verse from the Quran.
He also told the judges that he had always had a harmonious relationship with Muslims, something he said was proven by the several pro-Muslim programs implemented during his term as Jakarta governor.
Ahok's lawyers also highlighted what they said were irregular actions police and prosecutors took against Ahok. They said the actions had violated prevailing laws.
On Dec. 20, prosecutors are scheduled to read their response to Ahok's evidence.
"We haven't made special preparations for the next hearing because it will be prosecutors' turn to read their response. However, we are now preparing strategies to be implemented further should judges decide to disregard our evidence," she said.
Josefina said that the lawyers are preparing eyewitnesses and experts to be presented in the trial. Ahok's Muslim godbrother Analta Amir has been looking forward to defending Ahok, she said. (dmr)
Source: Ahok's lawyers hope judges will accept their evidence
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