- Abu Bakar Bashir, a radical cleric linked to the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, was released from prison.
- Bashir is seen as the spiritual leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network, responsible for the blasts that killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists.
- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described Bashir's release as "gut-wrenching".
Jakarta – A radical cleric linked to the Bali
nightclub bombings was freed from prison on Friday, stirring grief and anger
among victims nearly two decades after more than 200 people, mostly foreign
tourists, were killed in Indonesia's worst terror attack.
Abu Bakar Bashir, 82, is seen as the spiritual leader of Islamist terror network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which was responsible for the massive blasts that ripped through a pair of packed bars in October 2002.
The firebrand preacher was released after completing an unrelated jail term for helping fund militant training. But he has long been suspected of involvement in the horrific holiday island bombings, which came just a year after the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
A van with Bashir inside left Gunung Sindur prison near the capital Jakarta at around 05:30 on Friday (22:30 GMT Thursday), accompanied by members of Indonesia's elite counter-terror squad.
Bashir was expected to return to his hometown, Solo city.
Sentenced to 15 years in 2011, his term was later cut due to sentencing reductions handed to most prisoners in Indonesia.
Bashir had been previously jailed over the Bali bombings, but that conviction was quashed on appeal. He has repeatedly denied involvement and his exact role remains unclear.
'Warmly welcomed'
The Bali bombings prompted Jakarta to strengthen cooperation with the US and Australia on counter-terrorism.
Al-Qaeda-linked JI – founded by exiled Indonesian militants in neighbouring Malaysia in the 1980s – was largely dismantled by security forces after the 2002 attacks, and a 2005 bombing on the holiday island.
It was also blamed for a 2003 car bomb at the JW Marriott hotel in Jakarta, and another the following year outside the Australian embassy.
There have been signs of the network's resurgence in recent years, although Bashir's influence has waned, said Jakarta-based security analyst Sidney Jones.
She added:
Bashir's lawyers had appealed for his release
citing his age and risk of contracting Covid-19 in the Southeast Asian nation's
notoriously overcrowded prison system.
Bashir's release 'gut-wrenching'
The cleric refused to renounce his extremist views in exchange for leniency when the government considered releasing him early, two years ago.
The plan was shelved after a backlash at home and in Australia, which lost 88 of its citizens in the Bali attacks.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described Bashir's release as "gut-wrenching".
"I still remember that day, very vividly like I'm sure many Australians do," he said on Friday, adding that Bashir had served his time for another crime.
He said:
News of Bashir's release brought back the "horror of the memories" for Jan Laczynski, 51.
He was drinking with friends at the Sari Club before flying back to Australia. Hours later, five of his friends were among the hundreds killed as a string of huge bombs ripped through the district.
'It hurts me a lot'
"It hurts me a lot. I wanted to see justice done," Laczynski told AFP earlier from Melbourne.
Laczynski said:
Thiolina Ferawati Marpaung suffered permanent eye
injuries after she was hit by glass from the massive explosions, that also
killed scores of Indonesians and holidaymakers from more than 20 countries.
"His release makes me feel uneasy," the Bali resident said. "I hope authorities will watch him carefully."
Bashir's son, Abdul Rohim, described his father as a "victim" of extremist ideology, but said the family would try to soften his hardline views.
Laczynski urged authorities to make sure Bashir is not afforded any platform to spread his violent messaage.
"He hasn't changed in jail, if anything he's got worse," the Australian said. "He will always be preaching his evil and this evil has to stop."
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