A day after being freed, militant cleric Abu Bakar bashir told
hundreds of worshippers at am islamic boarding school known for
churning out some of indonesia's deadliest militants not to worry
about being labelled terrorists.
Bashir, who walked out of prison this week after serving 26 months
for conspiracy in the 2002 bali bombings that killed 202, said such
allegations were nothing compared to the struggles Muslims have had
to endure over history.
The 68 year old cleric, known for his fiery anti-western views, has
been accused by the US and Australia of being a key leader of the
Al-Qaeda linked militant group Jemaah Islamiah, a charge he
denies.
His release and his subsequent statements will renew concerns about
the Indonesian government's resolve in tackling the terror
threat.
Bashir has already added to Australia's indignation by refusing to
condemn the Bali bombers, claiming the victims were "destined to
die by God".
This new is extracted from The Straits Times 17th of June.
What is your views about his release?
