Gus Nur Swears At The Court: If I Really Spread Hate, O God, Curse Me

DOC. ANTARA/GUS NUR

JAKARTA - The defendant in the case of hate speech, Sugi Nur Raharja alias Gus Nur, reads an oath while carrying the holy book of the Koran during a plea hearing at the South Jakarta District Court (PN).

"If it turns out that what I was accused of is true. If it is true that I am spreading hatred against ethnicity, race, class, and religion. If indeed I am spreading hatred, O Allah, take away the blessings of my life. My seven descendants are punished, O Allah, damn me, my wife and children, O Allah," said Gus Nur, who was present virtually from the Police Criminal Investigation Detention Center as quoted by Antara, Monday, March 29.

Gus Nur to the Panel of Judges continued reading out his oath: "Allah witnessed the Judge if I am true to what I am accused of spreading hatred between ethnic groups, races, and groups, Allah will take away the blessings of my life, be damned by seven generations. I hold this Al-Quran. This is a matter of body and soul, the world hereafter," he added.

On the other hand, Gus Nur said that if he was right and the reporters were wrong, he hoped that their oath would be experienced by them. When reading his oath, Gus Nur also mentioned the names of the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas or Gus Yaqut and PBNU Chairman Said Aqil Siroj.

"Hopefully the judges are neutral, decide, release me because I do no harm to anyone. There is no broken religion,” said Gus Nur.

The pleural reading session was hampered by an interruption of the Internet connection. Several times Gus Nur's voice was not heard so that the Panel of Judges and Public Prosecutors, who were present in person in the courtroom, were unable to hear the contents of the pledoi completely and clearly.

Nevertheless, the Panel of Judges led by Toto Ridarto continued the trial until the defendant had finished reading his defense.

The judge then advised Gus Nur to read his pledoi slowly. Toto also confirmed to the defendant that the Panel of Judges would read Gus Nur's pledoi completely.

"Later (the copy of the plea) will be taken by the courier (at Criminal Investigation Agency, ed) for the judges and prosecutors," said Toto to Gus Nur.

In several parts of his pledoi, which managed to be heard quite clearly in the courtroom, Gus Nur said that there was no evidence and witnesses that clearly and clearly proved the contents of the indictment.

Gus Nur mentioned one point by one the charges were related to hate speech against certain ethnic groups, races, religions, and groups.

"Now that I get to the core, I am accused of hate speech (against) between ethnic groups, groups. That is the most principal accusation. Let me now show it to me, show it to us, I want to see (due to my speech, there is a conflict between ethnic groups). I want to see what tribe," said Gus Nur.

"This has to be proven," he stressed.

On Tuesday, March 23, prosecutors demanded Gus Nur two years in prison and Rp. 100 million fine or three months' imprisonment.

Gus Nur was charged with deliberately spreading information containing SARA that could lead to hatred. He was also charged with Article 45 paragraph (2) Jo. Article 2 paragraph (2) of Law No. 19 of 2016 concerning Amendments to Law No.11/2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions.