DHAKA: There were emotional scenes in court on the first day of the blasphemy trial of Jakarta’s governor, a Christian of Chinese descent.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, cried as he denied allegations he insulted Islam.

Purnama is the first non-Muslim governor of Indonesia’s capital in 50 years, reports the BBC.

The case is being seen as a test of religious tolerance in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

The prosecution said Purnama insulted Islam by misusing a Koranic verse which suggests Muslims should not be ruled by non-Muslims, to boost public support ahead of February’s governorship election.

He insisted his comments were aimed at politicians “incorrectly” using a Koranic verse against him, not at the verse itself.

If convicted, he faces a maximum five-year jail sentence. After the short hearing, the trial was adjourned until 20 December.

Rights groups say the authorities have set a dangerous precedent in which a noisy hardline Islamic minority can influence the legal process, says the BBC’s Rebecca Henschke in Jakarta.

BDST: 1822 HRS, DEC 13, 2016
BD