Indonesia acquits cleric of terror links

A COURT acquitted a Muslim cleric accused of heading an al-Qaida-linked Asian terror group and plotting to overthrow the government, giving a surprise verdict in a case seen as a test of Indonesia's willingness to fight terror.

The ruling was greeted by joyous cheers from hundreds of supporters of Abu Bakar Bashir, who was alleged to be the spiritual leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah, a terror network blamed for a string of bombings in Indonesia and the Philippines.

"There is not enough evidence to prove that the defendant ... led and organised (a conspiracy) to overthrow the government," said Judge Muhammad Saleh, who ordered Bashir to be set free.