Radical cleric held in terror probe

INDONESIA’S anti-terrorism unit arrested a radical Islamist cleric yesterday for alleged ties to an al-Qaida affiliated cell accused of plotting high-profile assassinations and Mumbai-style attacks targeting foreigners in the capital.

Abu Bakar Bashir, who has been arrested twice before and spent several years in jail, was heading home after delivering a sermon when the police swooped, surrounding his van and smashing in the rear window when body guards tried to stand in their way, according to Bashir’s son, Abdul Rohim.

“The United States is behind this,” shouted the white-bearded cleric, who was wearing his traditional flowing white robe. He smiled as he was escorted under tight security into police headquarters, and said: “This arrest is a blessing, I will be rewarded by Allah.”