Prepare our bombs and ready our guns

Speech given by Jafar Umar Thalib

He allegedly made a speech in April in the islands' provincial capital Ambon in which he called on his followers to "prepare our bombs and ready our guns" against a mainly Christian separatist group.

Two days later a Muslim mob attacked a Christian village on the outskirts of the city killing at least 12 people, including women and a young baby.

The attack was a serious blow to a peace agreement signed in February by local Christian and Muslim leaders which aimed to end a three-year religious conflict that has claimed more than 5,000 lives.

Powerful visitor

Mr Jafar has not been formally charged but if convicted he could face seven years in prison.

Vice-President Hamzah Haz visited Mr Jafar in detention

His supporters gathered on the streets on Thursday to condemn his arrest.

Supporters included Habib Rizieq, the head of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Islamic Youth Movement leader Mohammad Iqbal and hardline cleric Abu Bakar Baasyir, who is accused by Singapore of having links to international terrorism.

The protest followed a visit to Mr Jafar's police cell on Wednesday by Indonesian Vice-President Hamzah Haz, the leader of Indonesia's largest Muslim political party, the United Development Party.

The visit sparked widespread controversy and accusations of government interference in Mr Jafar's case.

But Mr Haz denied making any kind of deal and said he was visiting Mr Jafar as a "Muslim brother".

The Laskar Jihad has been accused of stirring up violence between Muslims and Christians in the Moluccas since its fighters arrived in the island chain in May 2000 vowing to wage "holy war".

Religious fighting had broken out in 1999, sparked by a minor traffic accident, but intensified in mid-2000.

When the peace deal was signed earlier this year, Christians and Muslims celebrated by hugging each other in the streets.