“At that time, the process was stalled at the palace,” he said.
“In the era of Mr Prabowo, I will try again to file a pardon for Ali Imron. Hopefully, the kind Mr Prabowo can grant it.”
Loading
Their other brothers, Bali bombers Amrozi and Mukhlas, were executed in 2008 alongside Imam Samudra.
Imron was spared a death sentence in 2003 because of his remorse and co-operation with authorities. He has since asked for forgiveness and even met with victims or their families.
“If we look at Ali Imron’s efforts from 2003 to 2024, the results can already be seen,” Fauzi said. “[Terrorist group] Jamaah Islamiyah has been disbanded.
“He has retrained hundreds of his members who used to be in terrorist networks. Through him, they became aware and many of them are now ambassadors of peace.”
Fauzi, who was once a militant himself but now runs a deradicalisation program, posted a video to TikTok on Monday featuring their elderly mother pleading for mercy.
“I hope my video reaches [the president] – because it’s Mr Prabowo’s kindness to grant amnesty,” he said.
The family hopes Imron and other reformed terrorists can be among the 44,000 prisoners Prabowo has promised to release as part of an effort to ease overcrowding in Indonesian jails.
The news of Imron’s fresh bid for freedom sits uncomfortably with survivor Jan Laczyski, whose five friends were killed in the attacks. He fears Prabowo “could well pardon or release Ali Imron” if there was pressure after the Bali Nine case.
Martin Stephens, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen look on as Australia and Indonesia sign an agreement for their return home.
“Although both are life sentences, the fact Ali Imron made the bomb, drove the vehicle outside the Sari club knowing it was going to kill hundreds – it’s a big difference from being a mass murderer and convicted terrorist compared to what the Australians did,” he said.
Loading
Bomb-maker Umar Patek was paroled in 2022 after serving half of his 20-year sentence. The radical Jemaah Islamiah cleric Abu Bakar Bashir was freed in 2021. The alleged Bali bombing mastermind known as Hambali is still awaiting trial in the United States.
If his brother was released, Fauzi said he would be his guarantor.
“I am ready to be his replacement. If outside he is doing something crazy again, I am ready to come in to prison,” he said. “As with Umar Patek, I am the one who guaranteed him. As soon as he came out, I invited him to be a peace ambassador. Now, he’s doing good. He visits campuses and goes to schools.”
The Prime Minister’s Office has been contacted for comment.
Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.