Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the bombmaker responsible for the 2002 Bali terror attack has had his sentence reduced.

Umar Patek was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison in 2012 for his role in the bombings that killed more than 200 people, including 88 Australians.

Prisoners in Indonesia are often granted reductions to their sentence on Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17.

Patek was granted a five-month reduction, which could mean he would be freed on parole later this month.

However, the ABC was told by Indonesian officials that terrorists are not usually eligible for parole, and no decision has been made on whether he will be released.

Any request would have to go to the relevant minister for approval.

If refused, the ABC was told Patek could remain in jail until 2029.

Mr Albanese said he learned of the decision to reduce Patek’s sentence overnight.

“We have been advised that there has been a further reduction in the sentence for this person of some five months,” he said.

“And that of course will add to the distress that Australians are feeling.”

Patek was also found guilty of weapons and conspiracy charges over a terrorist training camp in Aceh in 2009, and for mixing explosives for a series of Christmas Eve attacks on churches in 2000.

Mr Albanese confirmed the government would make diplomatic contact with Indonesia over the decision.

“We will certainly be making diplomatic representations on these issues, as well as on issues that we continue to raise about Australians that are currently in Indonesian jails, in Australia’s national interest,” he told Channel 7.

“My thoughts this morning are with the families of the victims of the Bali bombings.”

The federal opposition is urging the government to lobby Indonesia against any early release.

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham told Sky that families of the victims expected Patek’s sentence to be served through to 2029.

“There is no early release for those families from the pain and suffering that they continue to endure,” he said.

“And it’s not at all unreasonable to expect on behalf of them, on behalf of all Australians who are outraged and all of those around the world who felt the pain and the outrage from the Bali bombings nearly 20 years ago, that those who were tried, convicted and sentenced should serve their full sentences.

“The Albanese government should be making strong representations to Indonesia, urging that that be the case.”

The 20th anniversary of the bombings is less than two months away, with commemorations planned around Australia.

Australian survivor ‘disappointed and appalled’

Former captain of the Kingsley Football Club in Perth’s north Phil Britten was at the Sari Club with his teammates when the bomb exploded.

He told ABC Radio Perth that the news of the bombmakers release has left him reeling.

“Late last night I heard the news, and I was definitely disappointed, appalled to be honest,” he said.

“This situation that we’re facing – yes we’re reflecting on the 20 years of that terrible night, 20 years ago, but now we have to I guess deal with emotions of this guy getting out as well.”

Source: abc.net.au