JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS- The firebrand cleric  Habib Muhammad Rizieq Shihab, the former leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), has been officially and fully released as of Monday, June 10, 2024.

The FPI stands for the Islamic Defenders Front (Front Pembela Islam in Indonesian). It is an Islamic extremist organization in Indonesia known for its conservative views and its advocacy for the implementation of Sharia law. The FPI has been involved in various controversial activities, including protests against perceived moral violations and attacks on religious minorities and establishments serving alcohol during Ramadan.

Rizieq Shihab’s release is stipulated in the Decree of the Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia, No: PAS-1508.PK.05.09 of 2022, concerning Parole Release.

“Our client IBHRS (Imam Besar or The Grand Imam, Habib Rizieq Shihab) has completed all phases of the parole period as of Monday, June 10, 2024, in accordance with the applicable laws regarding the criminalization case against him,” said Rizieq Shihab’s lawyer, Aziz Januar, to media on Sunday night, June 9, 2024.

Aziz further explained that Rizieq Shihab’s release is also documented in the Official Report of Parole Prisoner Transfer to the Central Jakarta Probation Office No W10.PAS.PAS10.PK.05.09.3824 dated July 20, 2022.

With his release, Rizieq is no longer under the supervision of the Central Jakarta Probation Office, which had been ongoing for approximately two years.

“With his release, he is no longer bound by the conditions for probation at the Central Jakarta Probation Office that he has adhered to for roughly two years,” Aziz stated.