Islamic militant jailed for 7 months

Islamic militant jailed for 7 months

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

There was a brief struggle between police and protesters on
Monday after the leader of a militant Muslim group was sentenced
to seven months in prison for organizing attacks on nightspots in
the city.

Members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) scuffled with
police after the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Habib
Rizieq Shihab to seven months in prison for vandalism.

A bench and a table were destroyed before officers were able
to push the protesters out of the courtroom. No arrests were
made.

Rizieq was found guilty of organizing mob attacks on bars and
restaurants in the capital. He was also guilty of "inciting
violence and spreading hatred against the lawful government,"
presiding judge Heri Suwantoro said.

"His actions caused unrest among the people and disturbed
public order," Heri said.

Rizieq will appeal the verdict.

He was later taken to Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta
where an hour later around 100 FPI members visited him.

The militant group has attacked a number of nightspots in
Jakarta over the past several years.

The judge said Rizieq would be released in November, having
already spent four months in custody.

Rizieq said his actions were motivated by Islamic teachings,
and that venues that sold alcohol were places of sin.

The Islam Defenders Front disbanded in the aftermath of last
year's Bali bombings, but claims to have recently reformed.

Rizieq was first detained on Oct. 16 of last year, but was
later released. He was rearrested in February of this year after
reportedly traveling to Iraq to look into the possibility of FPI
members helping to defend Iraq from an attack by the U.S.

On July 8, Rizieq was rushed to the police hospital suffering
symptoms of food poisoning after eating a meal at the jail.