Eight jailed over Bali bombings up for remission

DENPASAR, Indonesia - Eight Indonesians jailed over the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings that killed 202 people could have their sentences cut to mark Indonesia's independence day, a prison official said yesterday.

Indonesia traditionally has a prisoner remission programme to mark independence day on August 17, but cutting the punishment of anyone involved in the Bali bombings will likely anger countries whose nationals died in the blasts.

Many of those who died were foreign tourists, among them 88 Australians.

"Eight out of ten prisoners from the first Bali bombing in Kerobokan jail are being proposed for remission. Whether they meet the provisions or not depends on the minister of justice," said Ana Agung Mayun Mataram, head of the prison division in Bali's local justice ministry.

Suicide bombers killed more than 20 people in attacks last year on Bali restaurants.

The prisoners being considered for remission are serving sentences of between five to 16 years and were convicted on charges related to the 2002 bombings, such as robbery tied to helping fund the plot or hiding key figures.

The official said that two other prisoners at the jail in Bali had not been put forward for remission since they were serving life sentences over the bombings.

"The remission will be read by Bali governor, Dewa Made Bratha, at the 61st Indonesian Independence Day ceremony at Kerobokan jail," said the prison official.

He said prisoners were usually only put up for remission for good behaviour and if they were serving a minimum of six months' jail.

A total of 33 people were jailed over the 2002 Bali blasts.

Among these, Amrozi, Ali Gufron, and Imam Samudra are being held on death row in a jail in Java province for their leading roles in the bombings and are due to be executed this month.

Australia protested against the release in June of Abu Bakar Bashir, a Muslim cleric who served 26 months of a 30-month sentence for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali blasts. The radical cleric's sentence was cut for last year's independence day.

- REUTERS