An Indonesian court has found outgoing Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama - commonly known as Ahok - guilty of blasphemy and sentenced him to two years in prison.  His lawyer says he will appeal this harsh verdict.

Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, commonly known as Ahok

Head judge Dwiarso Budi Santiarto said Ahok was "found to have legitimately and convincingly conducted a criminal act of blasphemy, and because of that we have imposed two years of imprisonment".  The prison term goes against the recommendation of prosecutors, who pushed for a lesser charge of "spreading hate" and a suspended sentence. 

This case was seen internationally as a test of Indonesia's religious tolerance - and Indonesia appears to have failed.  Ahok is a Christian of Chinese descent in a predominantly Muslim nation.  He was put on trial in December over accusations that he insulted Islam while campaigning for reelection as Jakarta governor, when he quoted a third-party interpretation of a Quran verse to show that Muslims can vote for non-Muslims.  Ahok denies that was blasphemous.

Indonesia's capital city is on edge.  As many as 13,000 extra police are on duty in and around Jakarta to prevent clashes between Ahok's supporters and and the hardline Muslim protesters who many feel pressured the court to make the controversial ruling.