Indonesian cleric Bashir says ruling a 'blow' to West

By Ahmad Pathoni

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir said on Friday that a court ruling clearing him of any part in the 2002 Bali bombings was a blow to the West and served as a warning that Western attempts to subjugate Indonesia would fail.

Indonesia's Supreme Court on Thursday overturned Bashir's conviction for conspiracy in the bombings on the resort island, which killed 202, most of them foreign tourists. Australia, which lost 88 nationals in the attack, reacted angrily to the ruling.

"This is evidence that even though all this time the West think that they can subjugate Indonesia, there are still some Muslims and Indonesians who have the courage to convey the truth," Bashir told Elshinta radio in a telephone interview.
Bashir, 68, was released in June after completing 26 months of a 30-month jail sentence for being part of a conspiracy behind the nightclub bombings.

"I hope the West will open their eyes and if they remain adamant, there will be heavier blows. This is a blow and warning for the West," he said.

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