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Bali Terrorist Muhammad Cholili Freed On Parole


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ONE of the terrorists behind the 2005 Bali bombings has been released on parole after serving just half his original prison sentence.

 

Muhammad Cholili, 36, helped assemble more than 20 backpack and motorcycle bombs — some of which were used in the October, 2005 attacks in Bali that killed 20 people, including four Australians.

 

More than 120 others were injured in the evening blasts that struck the popular tourist areas of Kuta and Jimbaran Beach.

 

Judges handing down an 18-year prison sentence described Cholili as “a dangerous man†who had shown no remorse for his actions.

 

But the smiling terrorist, who happily declared to media after his conviction that “God’s destiny really is beautifulâ€, was released on Wednesday, supposedly to reward “good behaviourâ€.

 

Parole was approved after a reduction of his sentence to coincide with Idul Fitri, an Indonesian national holiday when jail terms are frequently reviewed.

 

“He has never broken any prison regulations,†Indonesian justice ministry prisons spokeswoman Ika Yusanti said. “If he commits any crime or creates any problems in the community, he will be sent back to prison.â€

 

Cholili’s premature release apparently came as a surprise to the man himself, with Indonesia’s Jakarta Globe reporting that he knew nothing of it until Wednesday.

 

“I’ve just got the information from the prison warden today. No members of my family know,†he said.

Cholili said his priority was “to go home and meet my familyâ€.

 

It is a privilege denied the 20 people killed in the bombings nine years ago, whose families and friends continue to mourn their deaths.

 

Indonesian authorities said they would continue to monitor Cholili, who would be prohibited from travelling overseas without ministerial approval.

 

The Daily Telegraph reported in May that more than 30 Indonesian terrorists who took part in the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings had walked free.

 

 

http://www.dailytele...2-1227017261729

 

 

But the Australian drug smugglers must die! After all, they are only infidels. (Time for Oz to sever diplomatic relations?)

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With a brain dead leader can't see that happening although Abbott the imbecile made reference to how much Australia assisted the Indonesians after the Boxing Day Tsunami

 

Indonesia responded

Bali: Prime Minister Tony Abbott is facing an Indonesian social media backlash over his linking of $1 billion in tsunami aid to the mercy campaign for Bali Nine death-row inmates Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, with a campaign urging people to collect coins to return to Australia.

On the streets of Indonesian cities people were asking motorists and passersby for spare change. Meanwhile, social media users were posting pictures of the money they had gathered and hurling insults at Mr Abbott and Australia.

Many also expressed their support for death by firing squad for Chan and Sukumaran.

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Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Indonesia President Joko Widodo: Indonesians have taken to Twitter to express outrage at Mr Abbott. Photo: AFP

The twitter campaign, using the hashtags #KoinuntukAustralia, #coinforAustralia and #coinforAbbott and growing rapidly in popularity, highlights how Mr Abbott's remarks have backfired badly in the country.

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Social media is huge in Indonesia, with its citizens among the biggest adopters of the technology in the world

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Abbott said: "Let's not forget that a few years ago when Indonesia was struck by the Indian Ocean tsunami, Australia sent a billion dollars worth of assistance.

"I would say to the Indonesian people and the Indonesian government: we in Australia are always there to help you and we hope that you might reciprocate in this way at this time."

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop was forced to call Indonesia's vice president Jusuf Kalla the next day to clarify the comments.

Her diplomacy seemed to soothe the concerns of Indonesia's leaders. Its president Joko Widodo said he was satisfied by the explanation on Friday, while also revealing that his government had been preparing a formal rebuke to Mr Abbott.

But many ordinary Indonesians remain enraged.

The campaign originated in Aceh, the Indonesian province that was hit hardest by the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 that killed more than 100,000 people there.

Among those behind the campaign are victims of the tsunami.

Muhammad Riza, a victim of the tsunami, said Mr Abbott's comments were "childish"

"It's not making any sense. How can aid be mentioned again?," he said. "If they weren't sincere, the community will give it back" he told Tempo, an Indonesian media outlet.

On Twitter, Mr Riza said the Australian prime minister was "seungke", referring to an Acehnese saying that those who take back a gift will suffer a skin condition on their elbow.

Meanwhile, supporters of Chan and Sukumaran brought more than 100 bunches of flowers to Kerobokan prison to thank the governor and guards - as well as the Australians - for their efforts to introduce rehabilitation programs in the penitentiary.

The flowers were organised by the Mothers for Mercy organisation, a Bali-based group.

While there is sympathy for the duo in Bali, especially among expatriates, it does not extend much beyond the confines of the holiday island.

Unlike the rest of Indonesia, many Balinese are aware of the extraordinary reforms at Kerobokan instigated by the Chan, Sukumaran and the prison staff.

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