'It's a slap in the face': Survivors of the Bali bombing slam the decision to allow the radical cleric who inspired the terrorist attack that killed 202 to be freed from prison
- Survivors of Bali bombing slam decision to let cleric behind attack out of prison
- Abu Bakar Bashir is due to be released imminently, Indonesia's president said
- The 80-year-old inspired bombing on Bali in 2002, which killed 202 people
- Islamist preacher is being released halfway through his 15-year jail term
Survivors of the 2002 Bali bombing have criticised the controversial decision to let the radical cleric who inspired the attack walk free from prison.
Ailing Islamic terrorist Abu Bakar Bashir, who inspired the attack, is to be released from prison halfway though his 15-year jail term.
Bashir was the spiritual leader of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jemaah Islamiyah, who were responsible for bombing the Indonesian island and killing 202 people, many of which were foreign tourists.
The decision has sparked outrage around the world, in particular in Australia where 88 of the victims hailed from.
Abu Bakar Bashir, (pictured middle) who inspired the 2002 Bali attack, is to be released from prison halfway though his 15-year jail term
A single singed shoe sits on a table inside a destroyed bar at the site of a bomb blast in Kuta Beach on Bali in October 2002
Five of Melbourne's Jan Laczynski's closest friends died in the attack, and he said he was 'stunned' at Bashir's release.
'Truly devastating news as effectively he gets on with his life whilst everyone else suffers from seeing him walk out of jail,' told Fairfax.
Australia urged Indonesia last March against any leniency towards Bashir when the government was considering house arrest and other forms of clemency.
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Mr Laczynski also said he believed Indonesia's president should have considered those still suffering.
'Who is next? Ali Imron, the guy who made the bomb? It's frightening,' he said.
'It's a slap in the face for so many Australians who are still injured and still recovering.'
Survivors of the Bali bombing have been left reeling after the controversial decision to let the radical cleric who inspired the attack walk free from prison
Indonesian man Dewa Ketut Rudita suffered severe burns to 35 per cent of his body and suffered injuries to his right eye.
He said was disappointed in the decision and although he empathises with Bashir's ailing condition but said the victims' families should have been given consideration.
'If humanitarian reasons are the reason given for his release, shouldn't it be asked where was his humanity when he committed the crime that took so many lives? [Many people are] suffering still, the survivors and families of the victims,' he said.
Bashir's imminent release comes ahead of April's presidential election, and the run-up has seen opponents of President Joko Widodo try to discredit him as being insufficiently Islamic.
Bashir's release comes ahead of April's election, and the run-up has seen opponents of President Joko Widodo (pictured) try to discredit him as being insufficiently Islamic
'I have considered this decision for a long time, involving the National Police chief and legal experts,' Mr Widodo told reporters.
'This release was decided because of humanitarian considerations and also related to his healthcare.'
Speaking from Gunung Sindur prison, Bashir welcomed the news: 'If I am released, I'll praise Allah.'
The 2002 bombings were a turning point in Indonesia's battle against violent extremists, making heavy security a norm in big cities and forging closer counter-terrorism cooperation with the US and Australia.
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