Top official in Indonesian terror group goes on trial in Jakarta

At the time of Abu Dujana's arrest, Sidney Jones, an authority on the JI, wrote that his capture was a major blow for the weakened organization, but cautioned against too much optimism over recent successes. In particular, while she lauded Indonesia's decision to hold public trials for terrorism suspects, she warned that activists might return to their work when released from jail.

JI has been quick to replace those detained or killed: since 2002, for example, the head of JI-East Java has been replaced at least four times. But the ranks are not inexhaustible, and the age and level of experience are steadily going down. Looked at from the top down, there is no question that JI has weakened progressively over the last five years. That said, to understand its resiliency and adapability, it is important to look beyond the leaders to the ties that bind members to each other at the grassroots.

Kinship ties have been well-documented. Many members have older and younger siblings in the movement; some men marry sisters of their fellow mujahidin …

Indonesia's decision to try suspected terrorists in public trials and release those convicted when they have served their sentences is also absolutely the right thing to do, in the interests of upholding the rule of law. But it means that many people committed to an ideology that promotes violence are now coming out of prison and may return to their old networks. This makes what happens in prison all the more important. Are inmates going to be rehabilitated, or become more radical after four or five years in prison?

Indonesia appears to be well aware of these risks. Australia's Sydney Morning Herald reported in late November that Indonesia has focused on "deradicalizing" militants in prison, albeit with mixed results.

Official efforts to seduce jailed Indonesian terrorists with money and privileges are being undermined by corruption and rival efforts from new Islamic gangs.

In this battle for hearts and minds, controversial "deradicalisation" tactics behind prison walls - including senior police inviting Bali bombers to parties - have succeeded in winning over 22 convicted terrorists, according to an International Crisis Group study.

[But] Jemaah Islamiah prisoners have formed their own gangs inside several prisons, successfully recruiting inmates and even guards to their radical ideology, the study found. Prisoners have published hardline texts and held study groups and meetings via the internet and mobile phones.

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