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Militant Muslim's conviction causes courthouse melee

An Indonesian court sentenced a prominent militant Muslim to seven months in jail yesterday for raids on nightclubs in Jakarta, sparking a fight between his white-robed supporters and police inside the building.

The sentencing of Muhammad Rizieq coincides with renewed international scrutiny of militant Islam in Indonesia in the wake of last week's bombing of the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta and the first verdict in the Bali bombing trials.

Rizieq heads the Islamic Defenders Front, known for raids in recent years on nightspots it said were immoral.

It has faded from view since late last year, with more focus on Jemaah Islamiah, a Southeast Asian militant group blamed for the Bali bombings and the prime suspect in the Marriott strike.

As the judge read out the verdict, scores of Rizieq's supporters surged toward their leader, shouting "Allahu Akbar [God is Greatest]," in an apparent attempt to try to free him.

Police pushed them back, with some officers throwing a few punches. Rizieq responded angrily, telling his men to behave.

Two chairs were smashed in the melee. No arrests were made.

"The defendant is proven to have provoked criminal acts and expressed hatred and hostility towards the government," chief judge Herry Suantoro said just before the fight erupted.

"The defendant's action caused a disturbance in security and public order and lessened the government's authority."

The maximum penalty for the charges, which included spreading hatred against the government, was seven years. Prosecutors had sought the same term that was handed down.

It was unclear if prosecutors had actually accused Rizieq, 38, of taking part in vandalism. They have previously said he instructed members of his group to destroy "immoral" advertisements in public places and close down bars.
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