Indonesian radical cleric linked to Bali bombings in 2002 released from jail

Australians...... you can choose where to spend your vacations and who you give your money to...

Now extradite him to Australia for a life sentence with no chance of release.

He is only "guilty" of piously teaching a literal version of his religion. Which we are always told we must not criticize. It is strange to see how people lambast him, instead of the ideology.

What did he do that was deserving of a life sentence? As WilliB says, if he's guilty of anything it's "piously teaching a literal version of his religion." And yet, the followers of that religion are imported by the millions each year into Western countries.

So Indonesia gives death sentence for drugs, and parole for bombings?

Good post.

We're hoping Abu Bakar Bashir after he's free can give peaceful, soothing preachings

Is he just a pussycat these days or maybe just toned down his message to advocating for the execution of certain groups like gays, apostates, blasphemers and the like? That isn’t regarded as particularly ‘radical’ in large parts of the Muslim world.

Cleric has a special status in islamic countries and many Indonesian believes he has done nothing wrong! Just an appeasement to a neighbor western country!

ABB and his ilk can get away with murder only as long as their right-wing ideology serves the purpose of social control and engineering exercised by the military powers behind the throne who view religious fanatics kept on a tight leash as useful tools in stoking the fires of nationalism and holier-than-thou self-righteousness among a poorly educated, brain-washed and gas-lit population.

He's 82. He will die soon. I suspect the Indonesian authorities released him so he wouldn't become a martyr from dying in custody.

He is not just a preacher of religion. He helped plan a bombing that killed not only his fellow countrymen but guests in the country. HUNDREDS of people died. Shameful that he gets released and for a nation with the death penalty it is shameful he was not executed for his crime.

He is not just a preacher of religion.

Yes, he is.

He helped plan a bombing that killed not only his fellow countrymen but guests in the country. HUNDREDS of people died.

You almost make it sound like the idea of being a terrorist and a preacher of a religion are incompatible. They are clearly not.

He is/was a preacher a particular brand of Islam which takes a literalist view of the violent parts of the texts. Unfortunately, there are others like him.

He is/was a preacher a particular brand of Islam which takes a literalist view of the violent parts of the texts. Unfortunately, there are others like him.

He was a preacher AND a terrorist responsible for hundreds of deaths. Being a preacher is no excuse and no free pass to kill and main hundreds.

He was a preacher

I know. I was just wondering why you posted that he wasn’t.

I know. I was just wondering why you posted that he wasn’t.

I didn't. I said he was not "just" a preacher.