Indonesia’s law minister said the government will decide on the early release of the man who built the bombs used in the 2002 Bali terror attacks, despite opposition from the Australian government.
Umar Patek was arrested in Pakistan in 2011. He was later sentenced to 20 years in prison by an Indonesian court for his role in the 2002 bombings of two Bali nightclubs that killed over 200 people, many of whom were Australians.
Yasonna Laoly, Indonesia’s minister for law and human rights, said Tuesday that Patek met the requirements for parole based on a recommendation from Indonesia’s counterterrorism agency.
Patek received a 5-month reduction for good behavior and could walk free from Porong Prison in East Java province within days if he’s granted parole, which means he could be released ahead of the 20th anniversary of the bombings in October….