Indonesian cleric gets 4 years for concealing COVID-19 test

An influential firebrand cleric in Indonesia has been sentenced to another four years in prison for concealing information about his coronavirus test result

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- An influential firebrand cleric was sentenced to another four years in prison on Thursday for concealing information about his coronavirus test result. The three-judge panel at East Jakarta District Court, which was under heavy police and military guard, ruled that Rizieq Shihab had lied about his COVID-19 test result, which made contact tracing more difficult. Shihab has been detained since Dec. 13. The judges ordered the time he has already served to be deducted from his sentence. Authorities blocked streets leading to the court as thousands of Shihab’s supporters tried to stage a rally to demand his release. Police fired tear gas and water canons to disperse hard-core followers who tried to approach the court. Hundreds who refused to leave were detained.