REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- National Police Criminal Investigation department (Bareskrim) have named Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) as suspect in religious blasphemy case. The decision come up as result of open case screening on Tuesday. "For the sake of investigation, the suspect is also barred from leaving the country," Chief of Bareskrim Commissioner General Ari Dono Sukamto said at the Main Meeting Room National Police headquarter on Wednesday.

The police did not arrest Ahok for several reasons. So far, the police seen Ahok was cooperative. More over, Ahok is running as candidate of Jakarta gubernatorial election 2017. "The chance of him running away is small, but we have to take prevention," National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian explained.

Also read: Will Ahok be free from religious blasphemy allegation?

Beside that, the police have already had videotape of Ahok statement citing the Holy Quran surah Al Maidah verse 51 as false guidance for Muslim in choosing a leader as evidence. The suspect could not eliminate the evidence. "Therefore, he did not have to be arrested," Tito said.

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