Bali terrorist released early

carlosMM

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http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2006/06/14/afx2813629.html

AFX News Limited
Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir released from prison - UPDATE
06.14.2006, 04:32 AM

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JAKARTA (XFN-ASIA) - (Updating to add Australian PM reaction, Indonesian FM quote)



JAKARTA (XFN-ASIA) - Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, alleged leader of radical Islamic group Jemaah Islamiyah, was freed today after serving nearly 26 months in prison for his role in the 2002 Bali bombings.

'I will continue to fight to uphold the Islamic sharia,' he said, after walking free 45 minutes ahead of schedule.

He was whisked to a waiting car to be taken back to his home town of Solo in West Java, some 600 kilometers southeast of Jakarta, where he was to undergo a health check and return to the boarding school he founded there.

Bashir was originally sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for his role in

the Bali bombings, which killed 202 people. He was cleared of terrorism allegations.

His sentence -- already criticized by the United States and Australia for being too lenient -- was cut in August 2005 as part of regular remissions handed out to prisoners.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Australians will be distressed by Bashir's release, even though it is legitimate under Indonesia's justice system.

Speaking in parliament, Howard said he wants Indonesian politicians to 'understand from me on behalf of the government how extremely disappointed, even distressed, millions of Australians will be at the release of Abu Bakar Bashir.'

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said neither Australia nor any other country has lodged formal protests.

'I haven't received any objection,' Wirayuda told reporters, according to the Detikcom online news agency.


a disgrace! I hope the western world finally comes to realize that the current Indonesian government is NOT one to make deals with, but rather one to place in a top spot of the 'bad guys' list.
 
Oh well, it's fireworks again very soon. Maybe the US should send a bomb his way as well
 
Thats really stupid.
 
if i remember correctly, the Indonesian govt could not get any solid evidence against him in relation to the bombings. It was mostly based on the words of others.
Which was why he only got a very short sentence, unfortunately.
 
He was convicted on heresay evidence and other dubious evidence. He wasn't neccessarily a terrorist
 
Thats news to my ears, I never knew Bali was a Hindu nation
 
CivGeneral said:
Thats news to my ears, I never knew Bali was a Hindu nation
I am not sure it is a nation, as it is part of Indonesia. However, it does appear that it is mostly Hindu -

In 1984 there were approximately two and a quarter million Balinese, the vast majority being adherents of the Bali Hindu religion.

I am not sure about this. How sure are we that he had anything to do with it? It is certain his involvement was not direct, and could easily have just been saying something to do with striking those who strike Muslims.
 
Samson said:
I am not sure about this. How sure are we that he had anything to do with it? It is certain his involvement was not direct, and could easily have just been saying something to do with striking those who strike Muslims.

Like others have said, there wasnt anything to directly link him to the Bali blasts. It was all circumstantial and heresay which was a pity.
I think it was more to do with him being the head of Jamar Islamair(spelling?) the main terror group in indonesia which admitted to doing the bombing.
His sermon's are all hatred and inciting these acts though, and if he practises what he preaches then he authorised it.
No hard proof though unfortunetly.
 
The indonesians send some poor girl to jail for 20 years for canabis but this guy gets 2 years. The australian SIS should go get him. The way israel acted after munich
 
aneeshm said:
Indonesia : Muslim country
Bali : Only Hindu Island in said Muslim country
Why am I not surprised :( ?

And so? What does that have to do with the topic?
 
So this is what he was actually convicted of.
"had been sentenced to only 30 months in prison after a court found him guilty of a "sinister conspiracy" in connection with the bombings, but acquitted him of seven terrorism charges, in March 2005. The judges said then that Mr. Bashir "knew the perpetrators," and that his words might have encouraged them."
He also allegedly allegedly ordered the 2004 attack on the Jakarta Marriott hotel.
 
aneeshm said:
"It's OK . They were just pagans , after all ."

Oh OK, I see your point now. I don't really think that is the reason here. First of all, the indonisian government really seems to lack evidence against this guy. That is the problem with countries leaving dictatorship and going to democracy, things become much harder :lol: Some times I feel I miss Suharto :D
Second, government tend to be harsh with terrorists when the attacks occur on their land. The Indonisian government may have some sympathy with Islamist terrorists whan they make their bombs explode in Moscow, Grozny, London, Paris, Tel Aviv or NY, but they lose all that sympathy when the bombing happens in Indonesia
 
Nobody said:
The indonesians send some poor girl to jail for 20 years for canabis but this guy gets 2 years. The australian SIS should go get him. The way israel acted after munich

Then Indonesia and Australia would be at loggerheads for conducting clandestine operation inside their country against one of their citizens.
 
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