Militant leader goes on trial for vandalism

Militant leader goes on trial for vandalism

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Islam Defenders Front (FPI) chairman Habib Rizieq Shihab went on
trial in the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday for
allegedly insulting the authorities and instigating a string of
attacks on entertainment spots in the city.

Members of the militant group have attacked a number of
entertainment venues here in the past few years.

It was not until late last year that police acted to stop the
vandalism and took legal action after the central government took
a stand against radicalism following the Bali bombings.

If found guilty, Rizieq could face a maximum seven-year jail
term.

Prosecutor Hasan Basrie said the defendant violated Article
154 of the Criminal Code as he had expressed resentment and
insulted the Jakarta administration in public during a broadcast
dialog held by Trans TV in October 2002.

"When the moderator asked 'what makes you act as the police,
the prosecutor as well as judges?', the defendant said 'we don't
have such authority ... we have asked for a bylaw on antiimmoral
acts (but) the governor is deaf, the city council is deaf, the
police are impotent," Basrie told the court, presided over by
Judge Herry Swantoro.

The prosecutor also said the defendant distributed a circular
to FPI members, supporters and its Pemuda Laskar (fighters),
which contained instructions to target immoral outlets.

They targeted entertainment spots providing liquor, drugs,
gambling and prostitution, and destroyed "immoral" advertisements
in public places. They also wanted to force entertainment spots
that ran "immoral transactions", such as bars, cafes, karaoke
lounges, massage parlors and game centers, to shut every Muslim
holiday, Thursdays and Fridays.

In a interview by SCTV in October, the defendant admitted to
attacking red-light spots operated by "big fish" and also called
for disobedience against the unjust police.

The prosecutor charged Rizieq with instigating violence in
public places and rejecting police powers.

The FPI caused widespread fear and injured a number of people.

Police first detained Rizieq on Oct. 16, 2002.

Early last month, when the police planned to transfer their
investigation file and Rizieq to the prosecutors, Rizieq was said
to be in Jordan undertaking a humanitarian mission for the
victims of the Iraq war.

Upon his return on April 20, police detained Rizieq, but FPI
supporters snatched him away from the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office
the next day, just after the police submitted their file. He
turned himself in later that day and was sent to Salemba Prison.

On Thursday, more than 100 FPI supporters clad in white robes
packed the courtroom and the second-floor corridor of the court
building. They chanted prayers when their leader read his
personal response to the prosecutors' indictment.

Rizieq said what he did was a criticism of the authorities,
who were not listening to the people.

His defense team rejected the indictment, saying that using
excerpts from television interviews to secure a case would set a
bad precedent.

The hearing was adjourned until Monday to hear the
prosecutors' response to the defendant's objections.