Bali bomber uses deadly attacks to market new business
Umar Patek was convicted of creating the car bomb that exploded outside two busy Kuta nightclubs in 2002 and was one of the world's most wanted men after going on the run for nine years after the incident.
He served only 11 years of his 20-year jail sentence, and just three years after his release, he is causing outrage again.
Patek has launched a new coffee business, claiming he is now 'brewing peace'.
The business, Coffee RAMU 1966 by Umar Patek, is located in Surabaya, the capital of East Java. The name RAMU is a reversal of his name Umar. Convicted terrorist Umar Patek has launched a new business venture . Credit: Supplied
'Once, I concocted bombs, and now I concoct coffee,' Patek told This Week in Asia.
Patek said he wanted to start a new life and the only option for him was to launch his own business because 'no one wanted to hire a convicted criminal'.
'Before, I was known for something that hurt the world,' he said.
'Now I have chosen a different path. His new career path and disgraceful marketing tactic has left families of the Bali Bombing victims' outraged. Credit: Firdia Lisnawati / AP
'Before, bitterness used to destroy, now (the) bitterness (of coffee) heals.'
His new career path and disgraceful marketing tactic has left families of the Bali Bombing victims' outraged.
Sandra Thompson, the mother of 29-year-old Australian rugby player Clint who died in the attack, said Patek has never paid for the atrocity.
'Has this man repented? Does he still think what he did was morally right? Or has he just served a sentence then moved on?' she queried.
'Two hundred and two lives plus an unborn baby and survivors still living with the effects of their injuries. Has he paid for that? Never, if he has no remorse.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australian tourist found dead in Thai hotel room
An Australian man has been found dead inside a hotel room in Thailand one day before his flight back home, according to local media. The tourist, reportedly aged in his early 20s, was discovered by a hotel staff member in the district of Tambon Thepkrasattri on the holiday island of Phuket on Wednesday morning, local time. Police were called around 10am, local time, and found the man in bed wearing a black T-shirt and holding a mobile phone, The Phuket News reported. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed an Australian had died. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Thailand,' the spokesperson said on Thursday night. The holidaymaker, who is yet to be formally identified, was born in India and had an Australian passport, according to Reuters. There were bandages on the man's elbow and wrist. His friends told local authorities the injuries were from a recent motorcycle accident, The Phuket News said. Police said there were no signs of assault or a break-in in the room. 'I saw him lying there with a mobile phone resting on his chest. He was still on a call with someone. The line hadn't been disconnected, and he had died like that. There were no signs of struggle or anything suspicious,' police lieutenant colonel Thanom Thongpaen told Reuters.
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
Australian tourist found dead in Thai hotel room
An Australian man has been found dead inside a hotel room in Thailand one day before his flight back home, according to local media. The tourist, reportedly aged in his early 20s, was discovered by a hotel staff member in the district of Tambon Thepkrasattri on the holiday island of Phuket on Wednesday morning, local time. Police were called around 10am, local time, and found the man in bed wearing a black T-shirt and holding a mobile phone, The Phuket News reported. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed an Australian had died. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Thailand,' the spokesperson said on Thursday night. The holidaymaker, who is yet to be formally identified, was born in India and had an Australian passport, according to Reuters. There were bandages on the man's elbow and wrist. His friends told local authorities the injuries were from a recent motorcycle accident, The Phuket News said. Police said there were no signs of assault or a break-in in the room. 'I saw him lying there with a mobile phone resting on his chest. He was still on a call with someone. The line hadn't been disconnected, and he had died like that. There were no signs of struggle or anything suspicious,' police lieutenant colonel Thanom Thongpaen told Reuters.
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Sky News AU
23yo Aussie found dead in Phuket hotel room
A young Australian man has been found dead in a Thai hotel room reportedly one day before he was set to return home. According to local outlet 'Phuket News', police found the 23-year-old man in his hotel bed in Tambon Thepkrasatths wearing a black T-shirt and still holding his mobile phone. Phuket News reported there were no signs of a disturbance, no evidence of a break-in, and no visible injuries indicating foul play, although police did observe that his elbow and wrist had been bandaged. Friends told authorities these injuries were the result of a recent motorbike accident. An investigation officer with the local station received a call at around 10am from a nurse at Thalang Hospital, reporting the death of the 23-year-old. Officers later identified the man and confirmed that he had checked into the hotel on Sunday July 20 and was scheduled to check out on July 24. Police said the Australian Consulate in Phuket had been notified and a forensic doctor attended to examine the scene. The man's body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. Former NSW MP dies in Thailand'Never hand over': Aussie's passport panic Police said they were continuing their investigation. The Phuket News is withholding the man's name pending confirmation that his next of kin have been notified. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they were unable to comment until those further details were released. Originally published as 23yo Aussie found dead in Thailand
