More than 18 years after the attacks on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali, an accused radical preacher has been released from prison. Abu Bakar Bashir was released today on another case after serving his prison sentence. Escorted by elite soldiers, the 82-year-old left the detention center near the capital Jakarta in a vehicle.
Bashir is considered to be one of the heads of the Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah, which is blamed for the attacks in Bali. The preacher was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2011, but the sentence was later reduced.
Over 200 deaths in attacks
The case concerned funding an extremist group in Aceh province. Bashir was already in custody for the attacks in Bali.
However, his conviction was overturned on appeal. He has always denied the allegations. More than 200 people were killed in the bombings of a nightclub and a bar in Bali on October 12, 2002.
