Radical Indonesian cleric Bashir sentenced to 15 years over terrorism charges

Jakarta, June 16 (ANI): Radical Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir has been found guilty of terrorism charges and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The 72-year-old has been found guilty of using violence or the threat of violence to incite terrorism, despite the prosecution weeks ago having conceded that it would not be able to prove all elements of that charge, the Herald Sun reports.

As the judges read out the sentence, it prompted an angry response from Bashir's supporters outside the court. Bashir has previously indicated he will appeal the decision.

Bashir, widely regarded as a spiritual leader of Southeast Asian jihadists, was accused of providing funds to the so-called al-Qaeda in Aceh that was planning Mumbai-style attacks in Indonesia.

He has previously been linked to bin Laden through Jemaah Islamiah, the group responsible for the 2002 Bali bombings, of which he was the co-founder and spiritual leader.

Bashir served almost 26 months in prison for conspiracy over the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians, but was later acquitted on appeal. (ANI)