Australia "distressed" by Indonesia's release of Muslim cleric
Photo courtesy of the BBC
Prime Minister John Howard has said Australians would be "distressed" by Indonesia's release of a Muslim cleric convicted over the 2002 Bali bombings.
Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, found guilty in March 2005 of conspiracy over the bomb plot, was released in Jakarta after serving 26 months in prison.
Security experts say the cleric is a founding member of regional Islamic militant group Jemaah Islamiah.
Families of people killed in the Bali blast also criticised the release.
Mr Howard told parliament he had a message for Indonesian politicians.
"I want them to understand from me on behalf of the government how extremely disappointed, even distressed, millions of Australians will be at the release of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir," he said.
Eighty-eight of the 202 victims of the 2002 Bali bombings were Australian. Australia angry as cleric freed
Mark Alexander
1 comment:
Bld:
What a slap in the face for Australia. What an insult to the hundreds of grieving relatives of the dead in the Bali bombing.
It's a terrible slap in the face for them. And it certainly is an insult to the people who died in the Bali bombing. This is an insensitive act on the part of the Indonesian authorities. That's the thanks Australia gets for helping them. (I believe that the Australians have given a great deal of help to Indonesia over the years.)
They have little or no gratitude for the help they get from the West.
Muslims have no gratitude for any help they get from the West. So why are we giving them help? That's what I'd like to know.
The more they kill each other the better, perhaps
Interesting point to ponder over!
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