Why did they ever release this guy from prison???

This will haunt the Indonesians for years to come...

Western tourists in Indonesia are "maggots, snakes and worms" who should be beaten up, the alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings has told hardline Islamic followers.

Abu Bakar Bashir, the cleric who was convicted of conspiracy over the Bali bombings but later cleared and released from prison after 26 months, said the island resort had been overrun by scantily-clad tourists who deserved to be attacked for their immorality.

"Worms, snakes, maggots... those are animals that crawl. Take a look at Bali... those infidel tourists. They are naked," he said.

Bashir, the alleged spiritual head of the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist organisation, made the comments in a speech to an Islamic youth organisation in eastern Java last October.

Tourists who are disrespectful of Islamic customs should be lynched, he said, adding: "If there are infidels here, then beat them up. Do not tolerate them."

The sermon was videotaped by an Australian university student who was conducting research into Islamic boarding schools in the region.

Bashir told his followers to reject Indonesian laws that contradicted Islamic law, and said that signs should be placed in Muslim areas to tell western tourists to dress modestly.

He also stated that young Indonesians should "aspire to a martyrdom death", adding: "The young must be first at the frontline - don't hide at the back. You must be at the front, die as martyrs and all your sins will be forgiven."