The ruthless terrorist who built the explosive which killed more than 200 people in the Bali bombings says he’s planning to go on a romantic holiday to the party island when he is released from prison later this month.
Umar Patek was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison in 2012 for his role in the 2002 atrocity at Paddy’s Bar and the Sari Club that killed 202 innocent people, including 88 Australians.
But the extremist who now says he’s changed, was recently granted a further five-month reduction to his sentence for good behaviour after having half his sentence wiped.
In a newly released video, Patek and his wife are seen flirting and laughing together on the prison grounds in Java, Indonesia, and spoke about having children as well as their an upcoming getaway.
The 2002 bombings killed more than 200 people, including 88 Australians
His veiled wife described him as ‘patient and loving’ and spoke of plans to start a family once he regains his freedom.
Indonesian authorities say the former member of radical Islamic terror group Jemaah Islamiah has been ‘deradicalised’ but Anthony Albanese described him as ‘abhorrent’.
‘His actions were the actions of a terrorist,’ the Australian Prime Minister told the Today show.
‘They did have such dreadful results for Australian families that are ongoing, the trauma which is there.’
In a newly released video, Umar Patek and his wife (pictured) are seen flirting and laughing together on the prison grounds in Java, Indonesia, as they spoke about a potential holiday to Bali
Indonesian authorities say the former member of radical Islamic terror group Jemaah Islamiah has been ‘deradicalised’ but Anthony Albanese described him as ‘abhorrent’
Mr Albanese said his diplomats are lobbying the Indonesian government about the reduction.
Patek’s sentence had already been reduced by eighteen months on a previous occasion, meaning his total reduction is now a year and 11 months.
He would have be eligible for parole in January after serving two thirds of his sentence.
News of Patek’s potential release comes less than two months away from October’s 20th anniversary of the bombings sparking outrage for victims of the horrific blast.
News of Patek’s potential release comes less than two months away from October’s 20th anniversary of the bombings
‘This will add to the distress and trauma that the families of the 88 Australians who lost their lives in this terrorist attack feel, particularly on commemoration days, and the 20th anniversary is coming up,’ Mr Albanese told Seven’s Sunrise.
‘It’s not just about the 88 people, we are talking about thousands of people who have been impacted with trauma, who have lost loved ones.
‘They lost mothers and fathers and sons and daughters and brothers and sisters in this terrorist attack.’
The Prime Minister added there was little he could do to change the decision.