Cleric linked to Bali bombings released

[Scott & Lai 12]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060614/wl_nm/..._indonesia_dc_8

By Achmad Sukarsono

56 minutes ago

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Radical Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir walked out of a Jakarta jail on Wednesday after serving time for links to the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people, drawing condemnation from Australia.

ADVERTISEMENT

Australia's prime minister said millions of his citizens would be distressed because of the release and a U.S. embassy spokesman said there was cause for concern.

Wearing his trademark white skullcap and red-and-white checked shawl as he emerged from prison, a smiling Bashir said: "Let us strengthen Islamic brotherhood. We strengthen our unity for one aim -- that is Islamic sharia (law)."

Indonesia and other nations that "have been in darkness" could be saved by adherence to Islamist precepts, he said. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Bashir was surrounded by supporters shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) before leaving for his Islamic school.

Seen by the West as the spiritual head of the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah (JI) regional militant network, Bashir was convicted of being part of a conspiracy behind the Bali bombings that killed 202 people, many Australian tourists.

In Australia, Prime Minister John Howard told parliament: "I want (Indonesia's politicians) to understand from me, on behalf of the government, how extremely disappointed, even distressed, millions of Australians will be at the release."

Brian Deegan, whose son Josh was one of 88 Australians killed in the Bali attack, told Sky television: "Abu Bashir really is to us what Osama bin Laden was to the Americans."

In Jakarta, U.S. embassy spokesman Max Kwak said: "We were deeply disappointed that a person convicted of a sinister conspiracy was given such a short prison sentence."

WITHIN THE LAW

Indonesian authorities said Bashir's jail sentence and release were dictated by courts.

"If the court has decided a fitting punishment for Bashir, we cannot interfere," said Primo Alui Joelianto, Asia-Pacific and African affairs director general at the foreign ministry.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said the release did not mean Indonesia was wavering in the fight against terrorism as "anyone who commits acts of terrorism will be eradicated."

Some analysts say militants could use Bashir's release to revive Jemaah Islamiah, which police say has become decentralized with factions operating independently.

Deputy national police spokesman Anton Bahrul Alam said the cleric's sermons would be watched.

Bashir was arrested shortly after the 2002 Bali blasts over other charges and later spent 18 months in jail for immigration offences after treason accusations were dismissed or overturned.

Police rearrested him for suspected links with the Bali attacks as he left prison in April 2004. A court sentenced him to 30 months for being part of a conspiracy behind the bombings, but his term was later cut by several months for good behavior.

The 67-year-old cleric, who has called al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden a true Islamic warrior, has denied any wrongdoing, and says Jemaah Islamiah does not exist.

More than 12 hours after his release, Bashir arrived at the Al-Mukmin Islamic school he co-founded near the city of Solo, 480 km (300 miles) from Jakarta. Several school graduates are in prison for involvement in terrorism.

After praying, Bashir addressed more than 1,000 students, staff and supporters, urging them to follow the Islamic path.

"If we want to win, we have to stick with Islam and struggle to make this nation great, peaceful and safe and that can only be done if we lean to Islam 100 percent.

"I believe their (militants) moves were wrong because they used bombs in a safe zone. In a peaceful area, they should just preach. However, they are fighters whose intention is defending Islam which has been assailed by the U.S. and its allies who fight against Islam everywhere."

He also told reporters the Australian and U.S reaction to his release was expected and "in line with the character of infidels in combating the Islamic struggle" but added there would be no more bombings.

(Additional reporting by Telly Nathalia, Muklis Ali and Jerry Norton in Jakarta, Lenita Sulthani in Solo and Michelle Nichols in Canberra)

2 years, 2 months for 200+ murders?? Note, he states his goal: Islamic law. No mention of Iraq or Israel..

So, where is the outrage from moderate Islam?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

He also told reporters the Australian and U.S reaction to his release was expected and "in line with the character of infidels in combating the Islamic struggle" but added there would be no more bombings.

He is telling reporters there will be no more bombings?

Unless he is a terrorist, how can he be so sure?

[meauxna 15]

2 bombings from the same group, in the same neighborhood.

They love their brothers so much that they'll destroy the economy of the entire island.

Oh yeah, dang Balinese are Hindu = "so what". Perfect for making their sick point...

[Scott & Lai 12]

The Balinese are not under the domination of sharia, that is their point.

[meauxna 15]

I think the targets are more clearly Western tourists and any Balinese who depend on them for a living.

Ugly no matter how you slice it.

[Scott & Lai 12]

I think the targets are more clearly Western tourists and any Balinese who depend on them for a living.

Ugly no matter how you slice it.

Well, there have been many attacks against native Indodesians whose only "offense" was not being Muslims.

[Scott & Lai 12]

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=46

A chilling message for the infidels

Just six weeks before last Saturday's terrorist atrocity in Bali, in a jail cell in Jakarta, I interviewed Abu Bakar Bashir, the alleged spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), al-Qa'eda's main ally in the region, and the group on which western attention is focused in the hunt for culprits.

Bashir was celebrating the news that an Indonesian court had agreed to reduce his 30-month sentence for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali bombings by more than four months, meaning that he will soon walk free.

Ever since the first bombings, in which 202 people died, Indonesian authorities have been woolly in their response to terrorism for fear of alienating a largely anti-American population. Nothing illustrates this better than the appeal court's judgment on Bashir's early release - they took the decision even though he was implicated in a plot to overthrow Indonesia's previous government, and despite independent testimony from senior JI operatives in custody that he had approved the 2002 bombings.

At 66, Bashir is a lanky, bespectacled Hadrami, who, like Osama Bin Laden, traces his family back to the Hadramawt region of Yemen. Surrounded by acolytes - including known JI bombers - serving him dates, he answered questions with a strong voice and easy laugh.

Scott Atran: What are the conditions for Islam to be strong?

Abu Bakar Bashir: The infidel country must be visited and spied upon. If we don't come to them, they will persecute Islam. They will prevent non-Muslims converting.

SA: What can the West, especially the US, do to make the world more peaceful?

ABB: They have to stop fighting Islam. That's impossible because it is sunnatullah [destiny, a law of nature], as Allah has said in the Koran. If they want to have peace, they have to accept to be governed by Islam.

SA: What if they persist?

ABB: We'll keep fighting them and they'll lose. The batil [falsehood] will lose sooner or later. I sent a letter to Bush. I said that you'll lose and there is no point for you [to fight us]. This [concept] is found in the Koran.

SA: Have you met Osama Bin Laden?

ABB: No, no. I want to though. After my release, I hope I can meet him.

SA: Where will you find him?

ABB: If he still exists - but how could I? I have sympathy for his struggle. Osama is Allah's soldier. When I heard his story, I came to the conclusion that he's mujahid, a soldier of Allah.

SA: You will always be on his side?

ABB: His tactics and calculations may sometimes be wrong, he's an ordinary human being after all. I don't agree with all of his actions. Osama believes in total war. This concept I don't agree with. If this occurs in an Islamic country, the fitnah [discord] will be felt by Muslims. But to attack them in their country [America] is fine.

SA: So this fight will never end?

ABB: Never. This fight is compulsory. Muslims who don't hate America sin. What I mean by America is George Bush's regime. There is no iman [belief] if one doesn't hate America.

SA: How can the American regime and its policies change?

ABB: We'll see. As long as there is no intention to fight us and Islam continues to grow there can be peace. This is the doctrine of Islam. Islam can't be ruled by others. Allah's law must stand above human law. There is no [example] of Islam and infidels, the right and the wrong, living together in peace.

Yep, peaceful, tolerant.....

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yep, peaceful, tolerant.....

He certainly isn't.

[*Robert* 2]

Wow... Charles Manson comes to mind reading that.

Scary; very scary that he is lose again.

[Indo_mommy 0]

I think the targets are more clearly Western tourists and any Balinese who depend on them for a living.

Ugly no matter how you slice it.

Well, there have been many attacks against native Indodesians whose only "offense" was not being Muslims.

I agree with you on that! I've been to town where the moslem had raid the Christian and burnt down churches, killed people and the government tried to burried and hide the incidents (in Poso, Central Sulawesi)

Abu Bakar Baasir has been said to be linked with Al-qaida from Jemaah Islamiyah group in Indonesia but I believe the government is somewhat 'afraid' to push this issue to far since they know he have many followers. Sigh! I am embarassed by our government back home who really should've done more instead of 'pretending' Jemaah Islamiyah is not a terrorist group.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Yep, peaceful, tolerant.....

He certainly isn't.

He has many like minded colleagues.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yep, peaceful, tolerant.....

He certainly isn't.

He has many like minded colleagues.

Sure

[meauxna 15]

Yep, peaceful, tolerant.....

Wow.

Thank you very much for digging that up for me.

[Garfield fan 0]

Ba'ashir is Indonesian chopf$$k !!