So many people are devastated and infuriated by the guilty verdict and 2-year prison sentence given to Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama by the judges at the conclusion of his blasphemy trial today, with some declaring that they have lost all hope for justice in Indonesia.
RIP INDONESIA JUSTICE #Ahok pic.twitter.com/fXEYLybg96
— Natalina Panggabean (@natalina2512) May 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/bts__melissa/status/861813475189850112
As bad as it is for Ahok’s supporters, imagine how bad it is for him. Having served Indonesia honorably and tirelessly for many long years, he has now been sent to Jakarta’s Cipinang prison due to blasphemy charges that pretty much only the judges in the case didn’t think were completely politicized.
He will almost certainly stay in prison for at least the next several months while his lawyers attempt to appeal the verdict. Even if they mount a successful appeal, the Supreme Court could potentially overturn that and even add more years to his sentence (as happened in the Jakarta International School sex abuse case, which was also criticized as a massive miscarriage of justice).
And if his conviction is upheld, Ahok will never be able to hold office in Indonesia ever again.
We can’t imagine what he is feeling right now. But we do know that Ahok was doing his best to stay strong for the cameras, even as he was taken to prison.
https://twitter.com/editor_in_chic/status/861825588457160704
And, because this is Indonesia, Ahok – the man who had just been convicted of blasphemy and sent to their jail for his supposed crime – was asked to take a selfie with some of the Cipinang Prison staff (some of whom are flashing the dua jari [two finger] sign, so at least he has some supporters on the inside).
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama berfoto di Rutan Cipinang (sumber foto: Leopold) pic.twitter.com/4E3QOOnLMx
— Radio Sonora Jakarta (@SonoraFM92) May 9, 2017
Inilah yg disebut idola. Walaupun di LP. pic.twitter.com/SiklqqLc3F
— Abdul Aziz Hilmi (@hilaz_28) May 9, 2017
You can tell that he’s sad in the pictures. But he’s trying his hardest not to show it. He’s trying to smile.
He wants to prove to everybody that no matter what kind of injustice he faces, he won’t be broken. Because he knows, with absolute conviction, that he is right and one day he will be vindicated.
Or, at least, we hope that’s what he’s thinking.
If you feel similar, Ahok supporters are already planning to hold a rally for him early tomorrow morning at Jakarta City Hall.
Besok pagi! Mari kita ke balaikota #penjarakansaya #BebaskanAhok pic.twitter.com/750uXNn2aO
— Tunggal Pawestri (@tunggalp) May 9, 2017
