![Jailed Islamic cleric will not have prison sentence reduced](https://www.jurist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/jurist-white-text.png)
[JURIST] Indonesian Justice Minister Hamid Awaluddin said Thursday that Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir [BBC News profile] will not have his prison sentence reduced to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Bashir, imprisoned for his role in the 2002 Bali bombings [CNN backgrounder], allegedly lashed out at the Australian government upon hearing the news, accusing it of interfering in Indonesia's judicial process. Australia, home to 88 of the Bali bombing victims, has repeatedly urged [JURIST report] that the sentence of Bashir, believed to be spiritual head of an al Qaeda-linked terror group, not be reduced. Indonesia traditionally cuts prison terms on national holidays for good behavior, including convicted terrorists. Bashir is currently scheduled to be released in June 2006. Aljazeera has more.