The AFP continues to take opt-in registrations of interest from Australian survivors and Next of Kin of victims of the 2002 Bali bombings and 2003 J.W. Marriott Jakarta bombing.
Last year marked 20 years since the Bali bombings, and the AFP acknowledges survivors and the Next of Kin of victims have individual wishes about receiving official updates from authorities.
The Registration of Interest process will enable affected Australians to receive updates regarding the United States Military Tribunal proceedings for the trial of Riduan Isomudin Hambali and his two co-offenders for their involvement in these bombings.
Hambali, also known as Encep Nurjaman, was identified as the alleged orchestrator of both bombings, and arrested in Thailand by Thai and US authorities in 2003.
Hambali and his two co-accused were arraigned in the courtroom in Guantanamo Bay on 31 August 2021. Given the complexity of this international terrorism case, the trial date is difficult to predict, but it is expected to continue in 2023 and 2024.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Military Commissions has advised the AFP that Australian survivors and Next of Kin may be able to attend the tribunal hearing in Guantanamo Bay, or view live-stream proceedings from a dedicated US location.
Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Krissy Barrett said the AFP understood that over the years, expectations and the needs of survivors and families impacted by the loss of loved ones might have changed.
“We wish to continue to provide survivors and bereaved family members the opportunity to refresh their current personal details, and to clearly understand the ongoing wishes of individuals around continued updates,” AC Barrett said.
“The terrorist attacks in Bali in October 2002 murdered 88 Australians and changed the lives of thousands more.
“The 2003 JW Marriott Hotel bombings took a number of international lives and injured many, continuing to instil fear of ongoing attacks.”
AC Barrett said the AFP continued to support victims and survivors through the US Military Tribunal which holds key organisers to account.
“We continue to support survivors and family members with respect to their own needs and wishes, and this opt-in registration process allows them to decide,” she said.
The US Victim/Witness Assistance Program within the Office of Military Commissions will provide the support to facilitate this from within the United States.
The FBI also wishes to identify potential Australian witnesses (survivors and Next of Kin of victims) to give evidence before the Tribunal.
Impacted Australians can register their interest in receiving updates from the US DoD and VWAP through an opt-in process via the AFP website.
