![\"Indonesian](\"http:\/\/ichef-1.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/AC33\/production\/_92238044_gettyimages-457635134.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThere were emotional scenes in court on the first day of the blasphemy trial of Jakarta’s governor, a Christian of Chinese descent.<\/p>\n
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, cried as he denied allegations he insulted Islam.<\/p>\n
Mr Purnama is the first non-Muslim governor of Indonesia’s capital in 50 years.<\/p>\n
The case is being seen as a test of religious tolerance in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.<\/p>\n
The prosecution said Mr Purnama insulted Islam by misusing a Koranic verse which suggests Muslims should not be ruled by non-Muslims, to boost public support ahead of February’s governorship election.<\/p>\n
He insisted his comments were aimed at politicians “incorrectly” using a Koranic verse against him, not at the verse itself.<\/p>\n
If convicted, he faces a maximum five-year jail sentence. After the short hearing, the trial was adjourned until 20 December.<\/p>\n
Rights groups say the authorities have set a dangerous precedent in which a noisy hardline Islamic minority can influence the legal process, says the BBC’s Rebecca Henschke in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
During campaigning in September, Mr Purnama made a speech where he said Islamic groups using a Koranic verse against him were deceiving voters.<\/p>\n
The verse is interpreted by some as prohibiting Muslims from living under the leadership of a non-Muslim.<\/p>\n
Islamic groups said he had criticised the Koran and complained to police, who began an investigation. Mr Purnama has repeatedly apologised but denied blasphemy.<\/p>\n
His supporters say a widely-circulated video of the event had been edited and subtitled to make it appear he was criticising the verse, rather than those invoking it.<\/p>\n
Although Indonesia’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the country only recognises six religions and has tough penalties for blasphemy against any of them.<\/p>\n
But observers say the laws are sometimes used against religious minorities.<\/p>\n
Atheists too have been prosecuted, with one man sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail in 2012 for saying on Facebook that God does not exist.<\/p>\n
President Widodo has blamed “political actors” for taking advantage of the furore.<\/p>\n
The case has benefitted Mr Purnama’s rivals in the election race where he previously seen as the frontrunner.<\/p>\n
Some observers say the case shows that Indonesia, historically a moderate Muslim nation, is becoming more radical.<\/p>\n
However, Indonesia’s largest Islamic group, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), told its members not to take part in the anti-Ahok rallies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n