Bali bomber arrest: Australia warns of new attacks

Australia warns that arrest of Bali bombing suspect could spark retaliatory attacks against Westerners in Indonesia.

SYDNEY: Australia warned on Friday the arrest in Pakistan of an alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings could spark retaliatory attacks against Westerners in Indonesia, and cautioned nationals against going there.

Officials announced on Wednesday that a man thought to be Umar Patek, one of the most wanted extremists in Southeast Asia, was in Pakistani custody.

Patek, who had a $1 million bounty on his head, was the alleged ‘field coordinator’ for the massive Bali nightclub attacks that killed more than 200 people, almost 90 of them Australians.

In updated advice, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on its website that Australians should reconsider travel to Indonesia, particularly Bali.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd,  2011.