Jakarta
The radical Muslim cleric suspected of plotting the deadly bombing of a Bali disco last year was charged with treason in Indonesia this week. Prosecutors said Abu Bakar Bashir, leader of the radical group Jamaah Islamiyah, had planned to overthrow the secular Indonesian government and establish an Islamic state. The indictment is a turnaround in policy for Indonesia, which has long resisted U.S. pressure to crack down on Jamaah Islamiyah. The U.S. says the group is linked with al Qaida. On top of the treason charge, Indonesia also charged Bashir with several church bombings and a plot to blow up the U.S. Embassy in Singapore.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Quiz of The Week: 15 – 21 NovemberQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
-
Can the UK do more on climate change?Today's Big Question Labour has shown leadership in the face of fraying international consensus, but must show the public their green mission is ‘a net benefit, not a net cost’
-
The Week Unwrapped: Will US Catholics rebel against the Pope?Podcast Plus what are the ethics of freezing your late partner?
