Indonesia: Convicted Bali bomber apologizes to victims’ families

After his release from jail was received with fury in Australia, an Indonesian bombmaker convicted for his part in the horrific 2002 Bali nightclub attacks sent an apology to the families of the victims.

Umar Patek, a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah organization with ties to Al-Qaeda, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 after being held responsible for the bombings that destroyed two Bali nightclubs and killed 202 people, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians. Last week, he received his parole discharge.

At a de-radicalization center in the East Java region on Tuesday, Patek gave an interview. “I apologize to the victims and their families, both at home and abroad, regardless of their country, whatever their ethnicity, whatever their religion,” he said.

He continued, “I sincerely apologize to the Australian people who have been adversely affected by the Bali attack.”

Patek said that he was “prepared to become an ambassador for peace” and that he would assist the Indonesian government in fighting terrorism.

According to Indonesia’s justice ministry, Patek must take part in a “mentoring program” until April 2030; failure to do so could result in the revocation of his parole.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous country with a majority of Muslims, has started a project to stop people from becoming radicalized as part of its efforts to stop a rise in Islamic extremism.

Australia is upset over Patek’s release.

It was a “tough day” for Australians who lost loved ones and relatives in the attacks, according to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who spoke shortly after he was set free.

The Coogee Dolphins rugby team in Sydney, which lost six players in the Bali assaults, has a community and partnerships officer named Paul Vanni who has ignored the apology.

“Words have no meaning.” This is an outright slap in the face. “He is a murderer and an assassin,” Vincent remarked.

(Reuters)