The tiny minority of Islamic extremists who support terrorists like Abu Bakr Bashir fought running battles with Indonesian police today as the Jemaah Islamiyah leader was released and re-arrested: Indonesia Police Arrest Bashir, Clash with Supporters.

Hundreds of his supporters clashed with police before dawn near the prison in Jakarta before a smiling Bashir was taken from his cell to police headquarters.

The protesters tore up paving stones to hurl at police and also tossed Molotov cocktails.

Police, clad in riot gear and carrying shields, threw the stones back and responded with tear gas, clubs and water cannons in running battles in the early morning hours that left dozens injured on both sides, witnesses said.

A number of vehicles, including some of the buses that brought Bashir supporters into the capital during the night from Central Java, were dented and their windows shattered by rocks.

The clashes began when police tried to move the protesters, who want Bashir to go free, from in front of the prison, witnesses said. Some protesters were arrested.

At one point protesters, many wearing Muslim caps and carrying stakes, taunted police shouting: “If you dare, arrest us.” A police officer yelled: “Peace, peace, peace.”

Bashir finished Friday the jail term for immigration offences. He has consistently denied terrorism charges as well as links with Jemaah Islamiah, believed by intelligence officials to be responsible for violence throughout Southeast Asia.

Previous charges against Bashir of treason and of leading Jemaah Islamiah were either dismissed or overturned.

Arresting Bashir and the prospect of a fresh trial poses a challenge to the world’s most populous Muslim nation ahead of presidential elections in July, especially with sentiment for Washington at an all-time low over the war in Iraq and U.S. policies toward the Muslim world in general.

In the past two weeks, Bashir has entertained a stream of visitors at the prison, from Islamist politicians to mainstream Muslim leaders, all accusing the United States of meddling.

Washington has made clear it wants Bashir to remain in jail.

“Clearly this is intervention from foreigners, namely the United States,” said well-known Muslim leader Din Syamsuddin.