Indonesia to free radical cleric

BALI: Indonesia is to release the alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings from prison on Friday despite concern from Australia.

Radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir will be released later this week, upon completion of his jail term.

Bashir (82) is considered by some to be the spiritual leader of the Jemaah Islamiah network. He was jailed in 2011 for his links to militant training camps in Aceh province.

Bashir has denied any role in the Bali bombings.

Federal cabinet minister Angus Taylor said while it was a matter for the Indonesian Government it was understandable Australians would be uneasy.

‘‘We have expressed our concern about the situation and will continue to, but I do feel for those families [whose relatives were killed in the Bali bombings] because it does bring back those extraordinary events that we all remember so well and the tragedy that unfolded.’’

A senior JI operative known as Zulkarnaen, alleged to have a role in both the Bali bombings and the attack on the JW Marriott hotel in Jakarta, was among 23 suspected militants arrested last month.