Bali bombings terrorist, Umar Patek, released from prison early after meeting parole requirements
After serving just half of his sentence, the chief bombmaker in the 2002 Bali bombings has been released from prison.
55-year-old Umar Pataek has walked free this morning after fulfilling all of the requirements for parole.
Indonesian authorities say he earned remissions for good behaviour and his successful participation in required programs.
“The special requirements that have been met by Umar Patek are that he has participated in the de-radicalisation coaching program,” Ministry of Law and Human Rights spokesperson Rika Aprianti said.
Patek was originally sentenced to 20 years in prison after spending the previous nine years on the run from authorities.
At the time, he was considered one of the Asia’s most wanted terror suspects.
The Bali bombings killed a total of 202 people and were carried out by a terror network with links to al Qaida.
Patek was found guilty of helping build a car bomb that was detonated outside the Sari Club in Kuta.
This explosion occurred just moments after a smaller bomb was detonated by a suicide bomber inside the Paddy’s Pub nightclub.
In August, when news of Patek’s potential release first became known, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the individual as “abhorrent”.
The PM said his early release would only cause further distress to the many Australians affected by these attacks.
“I feel a great deal of common distress, along with all Australians, at this time. We had been advised by the Indonesian government of this further reduction,” the PM said.
But that time has come and the 55-year-old has now walked free.
He will remain on parole until 2030.
