Ja'far Umar Thalib has reason to smile. The self-proclaimed "commander in chief" of the controversial Laskar Jihad Ahlus Sunnah wah Jamaah religious organization was temporarily released from police headquarters in Jakarta on July 25. Upon release, Thalib was greeted by dozens of Laskar Jihad members clad in white robes.

Thalib's temporary release from custody (or postponed detainment) was carried out under the orders of the East Ja