Islamic militant jailed for 7 months<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
There was a brief struggle between police and protesters on
\nMonday after the leader of a militant Muslim group was sentenced
\nto seven months in prison for organizing attacks on nightspots in
\nthe city.<\/p>\n
Members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) scuffled with
\npolice after the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Habib
\nRizieq Shihab to seven months in prison for vandalism.<\/p>\n
A bench and a table were destroyed before officers were able
\nto push the protesters out of the courtroom. No arrests were
\nmade.<\/p>\n
Rizieq was found guilty of organizing mob attacks on bars and
\nrestaurants in the capital. He was also guilty of \"inciting
\nviolence and spreading hatred against the lawful government,\"
\npresiding judge Heri Suwantoro said.<\/p>\n
\"His actions caused unrest among the people and disturbed
\npublic order,\" Heri said.<\/p>\n
Rizieq will appeal the verdict.<\/p>\n
He was later taken to Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta
\nwhere an hour later around 100 FPI members visited him.<\/p>\n
The militant group has attacked a number of nightspots in
\nJakarta over the past several years.<\/p>\n
The judge said Rizieq would be released in November, having
\nalready spent four months in custody.<\/p>\n
Rizieq said his actions were motivated by Islamic teachings,
\nand that venues that sold alcohol were places of sin.<\/p>\n
The Islam Defenders Front disbanded in the aftermath of last
\nyear's Bali bombings, but claims to have recently reformed.<\/p>\n
Rizieq was first detained on Oct. 16 of last year, but was
\nlater released. He was rearrested in February of this year after
\nreportedly traveling to Iraq to look into the possibility of FPI
\nmembers helping to defend Iraq from an attack by the U.S.<\/p>\n
On July 8, Rizieq was rushed to the police hospital suffering
\nsymptoms of food poisoning after eating a meal at the jail.<\/p>",
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