It’s a tradition on Indonesia’s Independence Day for the sentences of thousands of prisoners to be reduced, and this year it’s extended to the bomb maker who assembled the explosives used to carry out the Bali terrorist attacks on 12 October 2002. As the families and friends of the 202 people – including 88 Australians – who died prepare for the 20th anniversary, Umar Patek is expected to be freed from an Indonesian prison on parole within days after serving half of a 20-year sentence. He was due for release next January, but he’s been granted a 5-month remission for good behaviour and his promise to be a good citizen. The decision comes on top of last year’s release of Abu Bakar Bashir, the radical Indonesian cleric/spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiah, the militant group behind the bombings. “It seems the door has been opened with the release of all these Bali bombers that are in jail, but there is no release for Australian families,” said Jan Laczynski, the friend of 5 Aussies who died in Kuta.