Release of Bali bomb maker ‘difficult day’ for Australians, says deputy PM

 Indonesian militant Umar Patek walks after reading his final defence at the West Jakarta court May 31, 2012. Prosecutors last week sought life in prison for Patek, accused of making bombs that exploded at Bali nightclubs packed with Australian tourists in 2002, killing 202 people. Patek is also accused of mixing chemicals for 13 bombs that detonated in five churches in Jakarta on Christmas Eve, 2000 and killed around 15 people. REUTERS FILE PHOTO

SYDNEY — Indonesia’s release of convicted Bali bomb maker Umar Patek will be a “difficult day” for Australians who lost loved ones and relatives in the attacks, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.

Patek was freed on parole late on Wednesday, the same day a suicide bomber who once was jailed on terrorism charges attacked a police station in Indonesia’s West Java province, killing himself and one officer.

Patek was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 for his involvement in bombings that ripped through two Bali nightclubs, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians.

“I think this going to be a very difficult day for many Australians – all Australians – to hear about the release of Umar Patek,” Marles told ABC radio. “I’m particularly thinking right now of the families of those who were killed and injured in the Bali bombings.”

The Australian government had made repeated representations to the Indonesian government about Patek’s early release, Marles said, and would continue to engage Indonesian authorities about ensuring Patek was under constant surveillance.

Patek, a member of the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah militant group, became eligible for parole in August because of good behavior in prison. His scheduled release was delayed after uproar from Australia.

Patek will be required to participate in a “mentoring program” until April 2030, and any violation could see his parole revoked, Indonesia’s justice ministry said in a statement.

Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen told ABC Television on Thursday that Patek’s release was a concern for all Australians, but was unlikely to affect the bilateral relationship.

“I think it’s important that Australia maintains strong dialogue with Indonesia so we can have those discussions, and that’s exactly what we will do,” he said.

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