JAKARTA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police who guarded the court session at the Jakarta district court Thursday clashed with members of the hard-liner group of Islamic Defender Front (FPI) outside the court.

    The clash broke out after the court was reading a verdict. The court sentenced top leader of the group Habib Rizieq Shihab to one and a half year in prison for provocation and spreading hostility toward one or more social groups.

    Jakarta police deployed over 500 personnel to secure the court for possible violence as it always happened during the previous court sessions. Over 200 supporters of the leader and scores of interfaith activists were outside the court.

    The group members struck the police with sticks, kicked and hit with fists and police responded by firing tear gas and using batons.

    It is not clear whether any people were injured in the clash.