"Make way! I'm a Muzlimb Holy Man."
Posted on 06/13/2006 8:37:00 PM PDT by nuconvert
Militant Islamic Cleric Released from Indonesian Prison
Tuesday , June 13, 2006
JAKARTA, Indonesia — A hardline cleric alleged to be a top leader in the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terror group was released from prison Wednesday to cries of "God is great" from scores of cheering supporters.
Abu Bakar Bashir, 68, had served 26 months for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people and thrust Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, onto the front lines of the war on terror.
"I thank Allah that I am free today," a smiling and waving Bashir said after emerging from a scrum of about 150 supporters and journalists waiting outside the gates of Jakarta's Cipinang prison.
"I call on all Muslims to unite behind one goal, that is the implementation of Sharia law."
Australia and the United States, which have accused Bashir of being a key Southeast Asian terrorist, said they were disappointed at his release, as did Australian victims of the Bali blasts.
His freedom has raised concerns that he could energize Indonesia's small, Islamic radical fringe, but few believe the stick-thin, softly spoken cleric will play any direct role in terrorism in the future.
After his remarks to reporters, Bashir boarded a car to the central Javanese city of Solo, where his lawyers say he intends to begin teaching again at the boarding school he founded and which was attended by many of Indonesia's convicted terrorists.
Before the Bali blasts, Bashir was chiefly known for his vocal support of moves to make the secular country an Islamic state and his criticism of U.S. policy toward Muslim countries. He has always maintained his innocence.
Police have no plans to investigate him for past crimes but will keep him and his followers under close observation. Indonesia's State Intelligence
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Someone tell me we have some black ops team in place to take this mass murderer out... he got a higher body count than Tim McVeigh, and it wouldnt be fair to this terrorist to not mete out the same measure of justice to him.
Well, that works out for less than 4 days per person he helped kill. Life is indeed cheap in Islamic nations.
There should be some folks in Oz who can covertly turbanate him..
In a less Politically Correct time I'm sure the 'assets' would already be on the ground with plans in place for his 'accident'.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.