Leader of Indonesian militant group loses lawsuit against police

Jun 24, 2008, 6:13 GMT

Jakarta - An Indonesian court on Tuesday turned down a lawsuit filed by lawyers of Habib Rizieq Shihab, chairman of a hardline Muslim group, which demanded his release from detention.

The South Jakarta District Court said in its ruling that the arrest and detention of Rizieq Shihab was legal.

Lawyers representing Shihab, chairman of the militant Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), last week brought the lawsuit against the Jakarta city police. Lawyers argued that there was 'no legal ground' to detain him because Shihab was not involved in a violent confrontation in Jakarta on June 1.

But Judge Hari Sasangka said in the ruling on Tuesday that Shihab's arrest was legal because it was supported by evidence.

'The lawsuit filed by Habib Rizieq demanding his release must be rejected,' Sasangka said, and ordered Shihab to remain in custody.

The court's decision to reject the lawsuit sparked anger among hundreds of Shihab's white-clad militant supporters.

Shihab had been named a suspect for his alleged involvement in the June 1 violent attacks by hundreds of his supporters against a rally for religious tolerance and supporting a minority Muslim sect branded by Indonesia's top cleric 'heretical.'

Along with Shihab, the Jakarta city police also detained eight other FPI activists, who were named suspects in the violent attack, an incident that sparked worldwide condemnation. Dozens of people were injured in the violence.

In 2004, Shihab was jailed for seven months for inciting vandalism at entertainment spots in Jakarta.

The FPI claims tens of thousands of followers. It emerged in 1998 with close links to powerful members of the police and military.

The group is best known for its attacks on bars, shops and nightclubs which dare to open during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.