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Australia angry over Muslim cleric's release

Abu Bakar Bashir - Released from prison
Abu Bakar Bashir - Released from prison

The Australian government has criticised the release from prison in Indonesia of a prominent Muslim cleric who served just under two years for his role in the bombings on the island of Bali in 2002.

Abu Bakar Bashir was convicted of conspiracy; more serious charges were either dropped or overturned on appeal.

More than 200 people were killed in the Bali bombings, many of whom were from Australia.

The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, expressed his outrage at the release of Bashir to parliament in Canberra.

But the cleric's lawyer, Adnan Wirawan, said his client had always been innocent.