Bali bombing jail sentences cut

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Ten Indonesians jailed in connection with two bomb attacks on the holiday island of Bali have had their sentences cut by up to five months.

Six people convicted over the nightclub bombings in 2002 which killed more than 200 people received five-month cuts.

Four others, jailed for attacks in 2005 that left 20 people dead, were given two-month reductions.

The cuts - an annual process to mark Independence Day - drew criticism from relatives of those who died.

Brian Deegan, whose son was one of 88 Australians killed in the 2002 blasts, attacked the decision.

"It's always unfortunate that, as we near the anniversary of that massacre in Bali, that we have received these reports of reduction in penalties," he said.

He said relatives of the victims would find the move "very, very difficult".

Good behaviour

The men had been convicted of crimes including helping to plan the bombings, sheltering suspects and setting up a website to support the attacks.

They had been serving sentences of between eight and 18 years.

"Remissions were given to the Bali bombing convicts because they displayed good behaviour," Ilham Djaya, chief warden of Bali's main prison, said.

Both Bali attacks have been blamed on regional Islamist militant group Jemaah Islamiah. Three men are currently on death row for their roles in the 2002 nightclub bombings.

Indonesia traditionally cuts the sentences of hundreds of prisoners on Independence Day.

Australian Renae Lawrence, one of the so-called Bali Nine convicted of smuggling heroin, received a three-month reduction to her 20-year sentence.