Heru Andriyanto – The South Jakarta District Court was packed with supporters of Abu Bakar Bashir on Wednesday morning ahead of the controversial cleric's terrorism trial, which is being guarded by 1,500 police personnel inside and outside the courtroom.

The supporters said the seven counts of terrorism laid against Bashir were absurd.

"This trial is a comedy. Bashir was charged with terrorism related to the paramilitary training in Aceh, while the Anti-Terror Law doesn't cover paramilitary training," said Son Hadi, spokesman for Islamic group Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid. The group was founded by the 72-year-old cleric.

"If paramilitary training is classified as an act of terrorism, then police should charge student regiments of various groups that also conduct paramilitary training under the Anti-Terror Law," he told the Jakarta Globe ahead of the hearing.

Court official Supriyantorro said they expected about 2,000 Bashir supporters. "They have come from Solo, Banten, Surabaya, Bandung, Mojokerto and Jakarta," he said.

The trial has been overshadowed by recent sectarian conflicts in Pandeglang, Banten, and Temanggung, Central Java, but Son said he had instructed the supporters to maintain a low profile and avoid violence.

"It's up to the police. We hope they don't provoke us or do excessive things that may send the wrong message to the mass," he said.

Despite his claim, dozens of supporters staged a rally at the entrance gate demanding access to the court. They were shouting "Allahu Akbar" and chanting slogans.