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Muslim leader in Iraq mercy dash
By Amy Chew
JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- A radical Indonesian Muslim leader, who called for a jihad (holy war) against the U.S. in Iraq, has slipped out of the world's largest Islamic country while under house arrest to head to Baghdad on a "humanitarian mission." Habib Rizieq Shihab, arrested in connection with several incidents of vandalism, is the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), a group famed for attacking nightspots frequented by foreigners, which the FPI deem as "sinful places." Rizieq was twice summoned for questioning by police last week in connection with an attack on a discotheque and two billiard centers last October that injured two people. He is also alleged to have made offensive statements against the government and insulting government officials. If convicted, he faces a maximum jail term of seven years. An FPI official told CNN Rizieq had gone to Jordan en route to Baghdad on a humanitarian mission with the Indonesian Red Crescent. "I believe he should have arrived in Iraq by now," Ahmad Shabri Lubis, FPI secretary-general, told CNN. "He is there on a humanitarian mission which was planned some time back. He had no intention at all to run away from the law and will return to fulfill the police's summon," Lubis added. Asked why Rizieq had not informed police of his departure, Lubis replied, "Because this is an emergency mission that involves many lives and he considered it to be very important and probably forgot to inform the police before leaving." Fighters signed up
A police official told CNN Interpol had been contacted to look for Rizieq. "He flew to Kuala Lumpur on April 8. We have asked Interpol to help us locate him," a police official told CNN on condition of anonymity. Rizieq was arrested on October 16, four days after the devastating Bali blast that killed more than 200. His apprehension was viewed as a government crackdown on militant Islamic groups. Rizieq was later released and placed under house arrest in November. The same month, FPI froze all their activities. While the majority of Indonesian Muslims are moderates, FPI's loud rhetoric and violent raids against entertainment centers over the past three years caused unease and added to negative publicity for the country. The group emerged again when war in Iraq broke out, urging Muslims to sign up to fight American forces in Iraq. Posters were brandished during demonstrations calling for people to search and expel U.S. citizens from Indonesia. FPI's Lubis said several members had already gone to Iraq to wage a jihad. "More than 10 people have gone to Iraq. Others will follow, depending on the situation and funds available," Lubis said.
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