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Indonesian Islamic cleric denies terrorism charges
[Straits Times] INDONESIA'S most famous Islamic holy man  Abu Bakar Bashir... Leader of the Indonesian Mujahedeen Council and proprietor of the al-Mukmin madrassah in Ngruki. The spriritual head of Jemaah Islamiya, which he denies exists. Bashir was jugged and then released in the wake of the 2002 Bali bombings, which he blamed on a conspiracy among the U.S., Israel, and Australia ... denies he helped set up, fund and arm a new terror cell in western Indonesia. He told judges at the South Jakarta District Court early on Thursday he was the victim of a US conspiracy and that all charges against him have been fabricated. Hey...it worked the last time. The 72-year-old imam faces a maximum penalty of death. He was met by hundreds of supporters who packed into the courtroom and gathered outside, shouting 'Allah Akbar!' or 'God is Great!' Prosecutors say the new terrorist cell uncovered last year in Aceh province had been planning Mumbai-style gun attacks on foreigners in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and the liquidation of prominent figures like President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Posted by: Fred 2011-02-25 |
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