SEMINAR: Asian Studies Seminar Series

This seminar present the results of interviews conducted between 2010 and 2014 with over 60 jihadists, men found guilty of committing offences under the Indonesia's Anti-Terrorism Law. This study explores their current mindset, asking to what extent do they now reject their earlier commitment to militant action? It finds that CVE efforts have only been partially successful, for respondents are at different stages of disengagement: some now completely renounce the use of violence, some are only partially disengaged, while a significant number remain convinced of the righteousness of their cause. This account is largely an empirical account of the pathways back from terrorism that some have followed - and others have not. But I also explore a number of important policy questions: What was the impact of incarceration upon these former jihadis? How significant have religious teachings been in challenging their views? And, finally, what is the relationship between disengagement from terrorism and complete deradicalisation? Using these findings I suggest that deradicalisation is usually a long-term process, one which ultimately depends upon the nature and intensity of social relationships with the broader community.