Last Updated on: 8th December 2022, 03:02 pm
Who is Umar Patek? Biography, Wiki
Umar Patek, a leading member of al-Qaeda-affiliated Jemaah Islamiyah, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 after being found guilty of manufacturing a car bomb that destroyed two nightclubs in Bali.
Indonesia has sparked outrage after releasing a convicted terrorist and top bomb-maker for the deadly Bali bombings in 2002 after serving just half of his initial 20-year sentence.
Indonesia claims Patek was successfully de-radicalized and reformed in prison.
Umar Patek Age
His current age is 55 years.
Bali Bombmaker
The attack killed 202 people from 21 nations, including 88 Australian victims, on 12th October 2002, in the deadliest terrorist attack in Indonesia.
Bali Bomber Released From Jail
The country said Patek, 55, was successfully de-radicalized and reformed while in prison. His release will serve as an example to inspire other activists to turn away from terrorism, authorities said.
However, her release sparked outrage in Australia, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling her “hateful”.
The release comes just weeks after victims’ families tearfully thanked loved ones on the 20th anniversary of the attacks in Bali and Australia.
The Australian government said Australians were “deeply hurt” by President Joko Widodo’s government’s decision. The statement added that it has “requested assurances from the Indonesian government that it will be subject to continuous monitoring and surveillance.”
“Today our hearts go out to the victims and survivors of the Bali bombings and their families,” said a spokesman for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Patek, real name Hisyam bin Alizein, was escorted from Porong prison in East Java province to his family’s home in Surabaya by the police’s national counter-terrorism team at 8am. On Wednesday.
“He is required to follow the bureau’s orders and must not use any form of force to maintain his probation,” said Rika Aprianti, a spokeswoman for the Department of Justice’s Corrections Division.
“If you commit an infraction while on probation, return to your cell,” he said.