In an unexpected turn of events, Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has withdrawn his appeal against his two-year prison sentence for blasphemy.
Ahok’s wife, Veronica Tan, said on Monday that the decision was made after a long discussion with Ahok’s legal team. She refused to go into further detail but said the family would hold a press conference on Tuesday.
“After a long discussion, we have decided to withdraw our appeal,” Veronica said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
She said her husband was doing fine at the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) detention centre.
A similar statement was also made by Josefina Syukur, a member of Ahok’s team of lawyers, who confirmed that the team and Ahok’s family would meet on Monday night to discuss their next move.
“We need to unify our stance on this so we will have a discussion tonight and tomorrow we will explain everything,” Fina said.
