It is visiting hour at Salemba Prison and the most famous inmate in Cellblock A sits on a sheet of vinyl on the concrete floor, holding court. Surrounded by a dozen followers, assistants and journalists, Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir expounds on the views that helped land him in prison and demonstrates that being behind bars is no impediment to spreading his message of holy war. “As long as America has the intention of waging war with Islam,” he says, “it is a must for Muslims all over the world to defend themselves against America’s attack.” Bashir’s freedom to promote his views from prison has riled Western officials who believe he is a dangerous terrorist. He has done so many interviews from prison on his mobile telephone that he has given new meaning to the term “cellphone.” He has people to run errands for him on the outside, a servant on the inside and a shady spot in the prison courtyard for himself and his guests. Full Story
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