Indonesia is contemplating conditional release for two ex-leaders of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) extremist organization and clemency for its imprisoned affiliates, according to senior officials, after 1,300 former members expressed their allegiance to the nation.
The al Qaeda-associated JI was implicated in orchestrating some of the most horrific assaults in Indonesia’s recent past, including the bombing of Bali nightclubs in 2002 that resulted in over 200 fatalities, primarily foreigners, as well as an attack on a Jakarta hotel in 2003 that left 12 dead.
This initiative follows the declaration made by senior affiliates in June regarding the disbandment of the network.
Eddy Hartono, leader of Indonesia’s counter-terrorism agency, informed Reuters that there are currently 115 former JI members incarcerated, and the agency may recommend to the government conditional release for ex-leaders Abu Rusdan and Para Wijayanto.
Abu Rusdan was at the helm of JI during the Bali bombings and was imprisoned in 2003 for three years for harboring a militant responsible for the attack, who was later executed.
He was incarcerated again in 2022 for six years due to his continued involvement with a prohibited network.
Para Wijayanto, who led JI from 2009 to 2019, was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2020.
“We will consult with the ministry. If they fulfill the legal criteria, we will recommend (the conditional release),” Eddy stated.
Diminishing Influence
Adhe Bhakti, a security analyst at the Centre for Radicalism and Deradicalisation Studies, remarked that the suggested parole for the two former leaders would signify their collaboration in revealing the remaining networks and persuading former members to affirm their loyalty to Indonesia.
At its zenith, JI was one of Asia’s most dreaded extremist organizations, with factions in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, but its sway and backing diminished following a rigorous crackdown by authorities and deradicalisation efforts.
The ministry of law and penitentiary affairs is gathering information on the number of former JI members to be granted parole or amnesty, stated senior minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra on Monday.
President Prabowo Subianto aims to award amnesty to young offenders during a time when they are capable of becoming productive members of society, the minister added, emphasizing that procedures are in place to implement the amnesty and terminate pending charges.
“God willing, it will be executed in the initial months of 2025,” he said in a statement.
Two operatives sentenced to life for their roles in the Bali attack, planner Hutomo Pamungkas, also known as Mubarok, and bomb-maker Ali Imron, remain incarcerated.
Prabowo also intends to grant clemency to 44,000 inmates – ranging from drug offenders to activists imprisoned for defamation – and has indicated he may also permit individuals involved in corruption to evade punishment if they return the stolen assets.
