Treason for al Qaida cleric
The week's news at a glance.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
September 9 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Tuesday’s political cartoons include the shadow of Jeffrey Epstein, Russia's answer to peace talks, and tougher citizenship questions
-
Murdoch's conservative son wins succession battle
Speed Read Lachlan Murdoch will get control over the media empire that includes Fox News and The Wall Street Journal following his father's death, while his siblings will receive payouts
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump