When Abu Bakr Bashir was sentenced, we wrote: "how much Bashir actually serves of a 15-year prison term in Indonesia will be anyone's guess."
The reduction in his sentence has occurred very quietly, with no explanation given. Now, it is officially down to nine years, and that will not be the end of the story. Bashir's lawyer intends to appeal to the supreme court. "Indonesian court slashes radical cleric's sentence," by Noor Fatchi for the Associated Press, October 26 (thanks to Bill):
JAKARTA, Indonesia—A radical Islamic cleric accused of setting up a terror training camp in western Indonesia had his prison sentence slashed from 15 years to nine years, an appeals court said Wednesday. No reason was given for the decision.
Abu Bakar Bashir, known as the spiritual leader of al-Qaida-linked militants blamed for the 2002 Bali bombings, was accused of providing key support for the camp that brought together men from almost every known extremist group in the predominantly Muslim country.
They were allegedly planning Mumbai-styled gun attacks on foreigners in the capital, Jakarta, and the assassinations of moderate leaders, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
In March, a district court sentenced the 72-year-old cleric to 15 years in prison for inciting terrorism, but his lawyers appealed.
The Jakarta High Court quietly handed down its ruling Oct. 20.
"All I can say right now is that his sentence was reduced to nine years," Achmad Sobari, a court spokesman, told The Associated Press.
"I do not know exactly what factors were taken into account in the judge's decision."
Bashir's lawyer, Mohammad Mahendradatta, said he was awaiting official notification from the court. He stressed, however, that his client was innocent and should be freed.
Even nine years was an outrage, he said, vowing to appeal to the Supreme Court....
During his felony crime spree, Bashir acted entirely within the law of the land in Indonesia: the Sharia law.
*** 2:191 ***
And slay the Infidels wherever ye find them.
It is an outrage that Bashir is being held in prison. Either that, or the very existence of Islam and Moslems is an outrage.
Ain't no getting around it.
*** 33:21 ***
Did you know that Prez Barack Hussein grew up in Indonesia?
For those who came in late, and may not necessarily know exactly what happened in Bali.
The anniversary of the Bali Bombing occurred this month.
October 12, 2002.
One year and one month after September 11 2001.
On the majority-Hindu island of Bali, Muslim jihadists blew up a nightclub full of tourists and killed 202 people, including 88 Australians (the single largest group of victims from any one country). 38 Indonesian citizens were also among the dead. Many of those Indonesians being Balinese, they were probably Hindu rather than Muslim.
240 people were injured, some of them very, very badly - mostly, horrific burns.
The memorials in Australia comprise the following (from the wiki article):
Melbourne
"Bali 2002 bombing memorial, Swanston Street, Melbourne
"In Lincoln Square (park) on the western side of Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia, just north of the city blocks, is a memorial representing the 88 Australians who died in the bombings, and notably the 22 from Victoria.
There are 88 jets in the fountain; at night there are lights representing all those who died.
The fountain shuts off and becomes a reflecting pool on 12 October each year.
This was one of the very few fountains allowed to operate during the drought in 2007.
Perth, Western Australia -
Memorial at Kings Park, Perth
A memorial which lists the W.A victims of the bombings was opened on the first anniversary, and is situated on the ridge of Mount Eliza in Kings Park, overlooking the city.
The memorial is specifically designed to frame the sun's rays at dawn on 12 October each year and faces in the exact direction of Bali.
Gold Coast
An Indonesian-style stone memorial is situated in Allambe Memorial Park at Nerang. A bronze plaque lists the names of the 88 Australans who died in the bombings.
An annual twilight service is held at the site of the memorial on each anniversary of the Bali bombings.
Sydney
On the northern side of Coogee Beach a memorial to the Bali bombing victims comprises three interlocking bronze shapes that have an abstract resemblance to three bowed figures supporting each other. There are also some graffiti memorials in memory of the dead.
The memorial to seven residents of Sutherland Shire who were victims is at Cronulla.
Called The Seed, the work is based on the seed and foliage of the Banksia robur, a native plant indigenous to the Shire. This sculpture of pink sandstone is the centrepiece of the memorial. It is set in a black granite pond located in 'Peryman Place' not far from North Cronulla Beach, frequented by many of the seven victims and their families.
Two plaques are set into the granite surrounding the pond. The plaques carry the victims' photos, names, and ages; and also details of the event, the design's symbolism, its dedication, and a poem written by the families of the victims. The work is by sculptor Chris Bennetts and Ishi Buki Sandstone Sculpture.
South of Sydney, in the town of Ulladulla, a large memorial youth centre is being built as a practical and living memorial of Craig Dunn and Danny Lewis, two local (Ulladulla) victims of the bombings. Money is being raised through the Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation. The first stage of the centre is now completed, which includes a 12 lane bowling alley, air conditioned lounge area, food kiosk, and conference room.
...
Canberra
A modest granite cube serves as a memorial in the Eastern Formal Gardens of Parliament House."
And a couple of articles from the Australian press, 2002.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/10/18/1034561316708.html
The last dance.
And an article about a group of young friends who, caught in the bombing and the fire, saved some 40 other people from certain death.
Had they not been there, and had they not acted as they did, the death toll would have been 242, not 202.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/10/15/1034561160086.html
Surfers saved lives with a human chain gang
By Sarah Crichton
October 16 2002.
"...Struggling to digest their experience, these Engadine surfie mates aged from 18 to 24 yesterday told how they formed a chain gang, hauling up to 40 people, mainly women, over a four-metre wall as fire engulfed the Sari Club"...
"Amid the mounting hysteria, walls crumbling around them and intense heat from the fire, three took turns to boost person after person up the wall where Mr Roberts perched, one arm holding on, the other thrusting each grateful person back across a 1 metre alleyway to the arm of his mate Luke Gordon, latched on [to] an adjacent rooftop.
For what seemed like a lifetime, but what was probably only 90 seconds, the human chain gang worked."
Muslims lionize those who kill and who incite to kill, out of pure rabid hatred. We non-Muslims prefer heroes who *save* lives.