Radical Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir was released from Gunung Sindur Prison in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Friday after completing a reduced sentence for funding the training of Islamic militants. Bashir, 82, is regarded as the spiritual leader of a jihadist network with ties to al Qaeda, and has been linked to the 2003 Bali attacks that killed 202 people, but was not convicted for the attacks. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia said Bashir’s release was “very distressing” to friends and families of the 88 Australians killed in the Bali bombings. “Decisions on sentencing … are matters for the Indonesian justice system and we have to respect the decisions they take …that doesn’t make it any easier for any Australian to accept that,” Morrison said. 

A memorial pool in Kuta on the island of Bali, Indonesia displays the names of those killed in the attacks.

Check out The China Report, our new weekly newsletter. Subscribe here!