by Patek was serving a 20-year sentence for his role in the 2002 attacks that killed 202 people from 21 countries.
Indonesia has released Umar Patek, who was found guilty of his role in the Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people in 2002, on parole after serving just over half his sentence .
Patek, a member of al Qaeda-affiliated Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 after being found guilty of mixing the bombs used in the attack on two busy nightclubs in the resort town of Kuta became.
Upon his release, Patek must participate in a “mentoring program” until April 2030, according to a statement by the Justice and Human Rights Department on Wednesday announcing his release.
His parole will be revoked if he violates any of its conditions during that time, the ministry added.
The Bali attacks were the worst in Indonesian history and led to a crackdown on hard-line groups like JI. Australia and the United States also provided funds and assistance to boost Jakarta’s anti-terrorist operations.
Indonesia announced in August that Patek could be paroled after some sentence reductions, in a decision criticized by Australia, where 88 of the Bali attacks took place.
On Thursday, Peter Hughes, one of 200 people injured in the bombings and speaking at Patek’s trial, said the convicted bomb maker deserved the “severest sentence.”
“His being let out is ridiculous,” he told Australia’s national broadcaster ABC.
Patek was arrested in Pakistan in 2011 after nearly 10 years on the run.
Prosecutors asked for a life sentence for the 52-year-old because he showed remorse during his trial, and the judge sentenced him to 20 years. Patek was also convicted on other charges related to a series of bombings in Jakarta in 2000 that targeted Christmas Eve services and killed 19 people.
To commemorate Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17, Indonesia regularly grants pardons to inmates.
Authorities believe Patek has “showed changes” following a deradicalization program, Justice and Human Rights Ministry spokeswoman Rika Aprianti told AFP.
“Most importantly, he swore allegiance to the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia,” she said.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles urged Indonesia to keep Patek “under constant surveillance.”
Most of the attackers, who were tied side by side to wooden poles on a small prison island, were executed by firing squad in 2008.
Ali Imron, who helped organize the attack and drove the van loaded with explosives, is serving a life sentence after showing remorse during his trial.
