Confusion over verdicts against 'terror' cleric

In a lengthy and at times contradictory judgment, an Indonesian court ruled today that Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir knew of a plot to topple the government but that there was insufficient evidence he was head of terror network Jemaah Islamiyah.

“The defendant had knowledge of an organisation that is trying to topple the government,” said Judge Muhammad Saleh, sitting in the capital Jakarta.

“That is why the secondary charge has been proven.”

Earlier Saleh said there was not enough evidence to prove the most serious charge that Bashir headed Jemaah Islamiyah, adding that the defendant had to be set free.

The verdict was initially greeted by joyous cheers from hundreds of Bashir’s supporters, who believed that their leader had been cleared of all charges – a prospect that remained unclear as the judges continued to read their lengthy judgment into the evening.

It was unclear when their exact verdict would be read out.