5 days ago
Man convicted of Bali bombings now giving back to survivors
Umar Patek, convicted for his role in the 2002 Bali bombings, has started a coffee business and pledged to donate a portion of the earnings to survivors of the attacks.
Patek was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 for constructing the bombs that killed 202 people and was granted parole in 2022, triggering outrage in Indonesia and Australia, where many of the victims were from.
The coffee business, launched in Surabaya, Java, features coffee beans supplied and roasted by Patek. Dentist David Andreasmito owns the cafe.
Patek said he had trouble finding work due to the stigma of being convicted of a terrorism offence and understands many people are still angry with him.
A survivor of the bombings, Chusnul Chotimah, forgave Patek at the launch of the business, saying she hoped he could help survivors.
