‘A difficult day for many Australians’: Key figure in 2002 Bali bombing incident out on parole
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A key figure in the October 12, 2002 Bali bombing — which killed 202 people, 88 of whom were Australian — has been released on parole after serving only half of his 20-year sentence.
Umar Patek, 55, is among those held responsible for crafting the twin bombs that exploded in two clubs.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, a decade after the attacks took place, but due to receiving sentence reductions on major holidays (a customary practice in Indonesia for well-behaved inmates), he fulfilled the parole requirement of serving two-thirds of his current sentence.
On Indonesia's Independence Day last August 17, for example, he received a five-month reduction to his sentence.
Local authorities said Patek, whose real name is Hisyam bin Alizein, will be used as an example and influence other militants to turn away from terrorism.
Indonesia’s Justice Ministry confirmed the development and said Patek will be placed under state surveillance until April 29, 2030.
‘He is obliged to follow the office’s guidance and must not commit any violence to keep his parole,’ said Indonesian Corrections Department spokesperson Rika Aprianti.
Local media reports say Patek was granted parole as he has ‘completed the deradicalisation program and pledged allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia’.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles urged Indonesia to keep a watchful eye on the convicted terrorist.
‘We will continue to make representations to make sure that there is constant surveillance of Umar Patek,’ he said.
‘I think this is going to be a very difficult day for many Australians.’
In the months leading up to Patek’s release, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed alarm at the development and confirmed Australia would send ‘representations’ to appeal the decision.
‘We had been advised by the Indonesian government of this further reduction.’ he said in August.
‘This will cause further distress to Australians who were the families of victims of the Bali bombings.’
‘We will continue to make those representations diplomatically in order to serve Australia's national interest.
‘I know that this continues representations made by the former government when the initial reductions in the sentence were given to this person who, I think, is abhorrent.
‘His actions were the actions of a terrorist. They did have such dreadful results for Australian families that are ongoing, the trauma which is there.’
Patek’s release happened nearly two months after the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombing.
The incident, infamous for being the largest loss of Australian life in a terrorist attack, is a painful chapter in the nation’s history.
It’s also known for triggering Australia’s largest aero-medical evacuation since the Vietnam War with the Royal Australian Air Force arriving immediately to escort Australians back home for urgent medical treatment.
For many survivors, the grief and trauma remain despite the two decades that have passed.
Megan Basioli, now a nurse at the very same Perth hospital where she was treated for severe burns from the tragedy, said its emotional toll wasn’t immediate.
‘It wasn’t really until I got home and returned to a normal way of living again that the impact and that grief really hit me.’
Megan, then only 14 years old, lost her father in the incident.
Kevin Paltridge, who lost his 20-year-old son Corey at the Bali bombing, told The Guardian last October how he dealt with the tragedy.
‘It’s taken a long time to get through it… The grief doesn’t change, particularly on special days like birthdays … it doesn’t go away. You get by remembering the good times.’
What is your reaction to this development? Do you think it’s fair for victims and those who lost loved ones to see one of those responsible walk out of jail, even on parole?
Tell us your thoughts below.
Source: YouTube/7News Australia
Umar Patek, 55, is among those held responsible for crafting the twin bombs that exploded in two clubs.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, a decade after the attacks took place, but due to receiving sentence reductions on major holidays (a customary practice in Indonesia for well-behaved inmates), he fulfilled the parole requirement of serving two-thirds of his current sentence.
On Indonesia's Independence Day last August 17, for example, he received a five-month reduction to his sentence.
Local authorities said Patek, whose real name is Hisyam bin Alizein, will be used as an example and influence other militants to turn away from terrorism.
Umar Patek walks out of jail on parole after being deradicalised successfully according to Indonesian authorities. Screengrab Credit: YouTube/7News Australia
Indonesia’s Justice Ministry confirmed the development and said Patek will be placed under state surveillance until April 29, 2030.
‘He is obliged to follow the office’s guidance and must not commit any violence to keep his parole,’ said Indonesian Corrections Department spokesperson Rika Aprianti.
Local media reports say Patek was granted parole as he has ‘completed the deradicalisation program and pledged allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia’.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles urged Indonesia to keep a watchful eye on the convicted terrorist.
‘We will continue to make representations to make sure that there is constant surveillance of Umar Patek,’ he said.
‘I think this is going to be a very difficult day for many Australians.’
In the months leading up to Patek’s release, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed alarm at the development and confirmed Australia would send ‘representations’ to appeal the decision.
The Bali bombings killed hundreds of people in separate blasts. Screengrab Credit: Twitter/@7NewsPerth
‘We had been advised by the Indonesian government of this further reduction.’ he said in August.
‘This will cause further distress to Australians who were the families of victims of the Bali bombings.’
‘We will continue to make those representations diplomatically in order to serve Australia's national interest.
‘I know that this continues representations made by the former government when the initial reductions in the sentence were given to this person who, I think, is abhorrent.
‘His actions were the actions of a terrorist. They did have such dreadful results for Australian families that are ongoing, the trauma which is there.’
Patek’s release happened nearly two months after the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombing.
The incident, infamous for being the largest loss of Australian life in a terrorist attack, is a painful chapter in the nation’s history.
It’s also known for triggering Australia’s largest aero-medical evacuation since the Vietnam War with the Royal Australian Air Force arriving immediately to escort Australians back home for urgent medical treatment.
For many survivors, the grief and trauma remain despite the two decades that have passed.
Megan Basioli, now a nurse at the very same Perth hospital where she was treated for severe burns from the tragedy, said its emotional toll wasn’t immediate.
Many survivors still deal with the grief and trauma from the incident. Screengrab Credit: Twitter/@7NewsPerth
‘It wasn’t really until I got home and returned to a normal way of living again that the impact and that grief really hit me.’
Megan, then only 14 years old, lost her father in the incident.
Kevin Paltridge, who lost his 20-year-old son Corey at the Bali bombing, told The Guardian last October how he dealt with the tragedy.
‘It’s taken a long time to get through it… The grief doesn’t change, particularly on special days like birthdays … it doesn’t go away. You get by remembering the good times.’
Tell us your thoughts below.
Source: YouTube/7News Australia
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