Governor Jakarta is free of blasphemy after punishment

The Christian former governor of Jakarta who was sentenced to two years in prison in 2017 for insulting Islam was released early.

The 52-year-old Purnama, also known as Ahok, would have spoken disparagingly about the Qur'an during his campaign for a new term as governor of the Indonesian capital. A declaration was made and mass protests followed. Ahok, of Chinese descent, lost the election of his Islamic counter-candidate Anies Baswedan.

Purnama has always denied the allegations of blasphemy. The son of the former governor announced on Thursday that his father was released.