Indonesia frees bomber Umar Patek

• Umar Patek was convicted in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people.
• Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member jailed for 20 years in 2012.
• He must join a “mentoring program” until April 2030 after his release.

Indonesia has paroled Umar Patek, convicted in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people.

Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member Patek was convicted for 20 years in 2012 for mixing the bombs used in the attack on two Kuta nightclubs.

Patek must join a “mentoring program” until April 2030 after his release, according to a ministry of justice and human rights statement.

If he violates parole conditions, the ministry will revoke it.

The Bali assaults led to a crackdown on extreme groups like JI. Australia and the U.S. helped Jakarta’s counterterrorism efforts.

Australia, home to 88 of the Bali bombings, criticized Indonesia’s decision to grant Patek release in August.

Peter Hughes, one of 200 bombing victims who testified at Patek’s trial, said he deserved the “harshest sentence.”

“It’s ludicrous he’s out,” he told ABC.

After 10 years on the run, Patek was caught in Pakistan in 2011.

The judge condemned the 52-year-old to 20 years since he showed contrition during his trial. Patek was also convicted of other crimes relating to Christmas Eve bombs in Jakarta in 2000 that killed 19 people.

On August 17, Indonesia’s independence day, offenders receive sentence reductions.

Authorities believe Patek “changed” following deradicalization, spokeswoman Rika Aprianti told AFP.

She remarked, “Most importantly, he’s vowed fealty to Indonesia’s unitary state.”

Australia’s deputy prime minister encouraged Indonesia to “constantly monitor” Patek.

Most of the attackers were executed by firing squad in 2008 on a small prison island.

Ali Imron, who helped plan the attack and drove the explosives-laden van, is serving a life sentence.

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