Indonesian cleric who inspired extremists freed from prison (update)

Abu Bakar Bashir, an Islamic cleric and alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings, waves as he arrives at Al Mukmin boarding school Ngruki, upon his release after he was jailed for 15 years, in Sukoharjo near Solo, Central Java province, Indonesia, January 8, 2021. - Antara Foto/Reuters

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP): A convicted firebrand cleric who inspired the Bali bombers and other violent extremists walked free from an Indonesian prison Friday after completing his sentence for funding the training of Islamic militants.

Police said they would continue to monitor the activities of Abu Bakar Bashir, who is now 82 and ailing, and his son said Bashir for now would be avoiding activities outside his family due to the coronavirus pandemic.