Indonesia to Release Terrorist Spiritual Leader of Jemaah Islamiyah

Zachary Abuza at Counterterrorism Blog reports that on Wednesday, Indonesian authorities will release Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, a 68-year-old cleric and the spiritual leader of the Southeast Asian affiliate of al-Qaeda, Jemaah Islamiyah. Ba’asyir had been serving a 25½ month sentence, on a number of charges in a four year legal saga. His release will have an important impact in counter-terror operations in Southeast Asia. More than just being a media boon for Jemaah Islamiyah and it’s affiliated organizations, it will revitalize organizations that are trying to regroup after the arrests of more than 300 members. Ba'asyir has called for the destruction of the U.S., England, Australia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. More rundown on the Ba'asyir release here.