A Muslim militant convicted of organising attacks on Jakarta nightclubs and restaurants was released from jail today, and vowed to carry on his campaign to rid the Indonesian capital of vice. About 300 cheering supporters greeted Habib Rizieq Shihab, who heads the small, but high-profile Islamic Defenders Front, as he left Salemba Prison in Jakarta. Rizieq, who served a seven-month jail term, told the crowd that he would keep fighting to impose Islamic law in the country and rid the capital of nightclubs, discos and gambling dens. "I will continue my attacks on corrupt officials who give protection to these places of sin like nightclubs and gambling dens," Rizieq said, stopping short of saying he would directly attack these establishments. Rizieq was sentenced in August, but because he had spent four months in custody, judges ruled that he would be released in November. His group is generally dismissed as a criminal gang involved in protection rackets and extortion.
| Yasss... Very devout, they are... |
It is not connected to the region’s Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network. The organisation gained notoriety in the past four years for sweeps through the capital’s nightclub districts, breaking windows and smashing liquor bottles. The damage was limited and injuries were few. Although it warned of renewed attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, so far the group has done nothing. |