Pak gives green light to extradite Bali bomber

Jakarta, August 5(ANI): Alleged Bali bomber Umar Patek will be extradited from Pakistan after the country's officials have given a green signal for his deportation.

Patek yielded vital information about terrorist activities since his capture in Pakistan earlier this year, a senior Indonesian official has said.

Indonesia's Counter-terrorism Chief Ansyaad Mbai said a team sent to Pakistan about two months ago had already obtained vital information about his involvement in several terrorist attacks.

"A team was sent to interrogate Umar Patek in Pakistan. We had access to Umar Patek, and we have got some information about his involvement in terrorist cases in Indonesia", News.com.au quoted Mbai,as saying.

Patek, who is believed to have built bombs for the 2002 Bali nightclub attacks, which killed 202 people, was captured in Abbottabad on January 25.

It is believed Patek can provide vital information about a range of terrorist activities and networks in the region.

Patek is also wanted in the Philippines, in connection with his alleged plotting of deadly attacks with local militants.

Mbai said Indonesia would take its time with Patek's deportation so as not to jeopardise their case against him.

"The government of Indonesia is in the process of transferring Umar Patek from Pakistan. But there is no time-frame. We have to make sure of the detail. If we fail to comply with the procedure, then we will fail at the court," he said.

Indonesian officials had earlier indicated that the chances of pursuing a case against Patek were limited as the 2003 counter-terrorism laws could not be applied retrospectively.(ANI)