Massive security for Bashir's trialJAKARTA: Indonesian police stood guard outside churches Wednesday after a wave of hate crimes swept the mainly Muslim country, shocking civil society and sparking international concern. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who has been criticized for failing to stem the violence, ordered the police and military to go “all-out” against extremist groups behind the unrest. “Every person should be guaranteed protection and safety, whatever his faith, ethnicity, race, political affiliation or profession,” the softly-spoken ex-general said in a speech. “Democracy does not mean the law of the jungle.” Indonesia's image as a bastion of inter-faith harmony has been battered in recent months by violent extremism and marauding vigilante groups. The wave of hate crimes targeting Christians and other minorities climaxed Sunday when hundreds of enraged people brutally murdered three followers of a group in front of police, who did little to intervene.The country was still reeling over a disturbing video of the lynching when another crowd of group rampaged through the streets of Temanggung, Central Java, Tuesday. This time police responded with tear gas but again failed to stop the mob setting fire to two churches and vandalizing a Catholic school, as they demanded the execution of a Christian who had been jailed for insulting Islam. Central Java provincial police spokesman Djihartono said almost 1,200 extra security personnel including troops had been deployed in Temanggung in response to Tuesday's unrest. Police said heavy security would also be in force at a Jakarta courtroom where radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir is due to stand trial on terrorism charges on Thursday. Hundreds of his supporters are expected to attend. Yudhoyono said police must act with “courage” to disband — “if necessary” —any extremist outfit found to have “clearly caused casualties”. But national police chief Timor Pradopo, who freely admits police coordinate their actions with Islamic vigilantes, said the recent unrest was not the work of any group or organization.
