The AFP is renewing a Register of Interest for Australians affected by the 2002 Bali bombings and the 2003 J.W. Marriott Hotel bombing in Jakarta.
More than 200 people, including 88 Australians, were killed when bombs were detonated in the tourist district of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali on the evening of 12 October, 2002.
A further 12 people were killed and more than 150 were injured when a car bomb was detonated outside the lobby of the J.W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta on 5 August, 2003.
Encep Nurjaman, also known as Hambali, is alleged by the United States to have orchestrated both attacks, and he was arrested in Thailand by Thai and US authorities in 2003.
While not yet confirmed, proceedings before a US Military Tribunal relating to these attacks are expected to commence in late 2027.
The US Department of Defense Office of Military Commissions is seeking to identify Australian survivors, the next of kin of those killed in the attacks, and other Australians who were directly affected by, or witnessed, the attacks or their aftermath.
Affected Australians are invited to register their interest via the AFP website.
The AFP Registration of Interest process will enable affected Australians to:
Receive updates on the US Military Tribunal proceedings from relevant US authorities;
Indicate their interest in attending proceedings at Guantanamo Bay, or viewing proceedings through arrangements that may be made available by US authorities; and
Indicate their interest in being considered by US authorities as a potential witness in the proceedings, either within the trial or in any pending sentencing matters involving the provision of victim impact statements (registration is required by 20 August, 2026).
AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Paula Hudson said the ongoing hurt caused by these deadly attacks continued to be felt by survivors, next of kin, and other bereaved family members.
"If you are a survivor, next of kin of a victim, or another Australian affected by these terrorist attacks, and you would like to receive updates or engage further with US authorities regarding the Military Commission proceedings, I encourage you to register your interest through the link available on the AFP website," Acting Assistant Commissioner Hudson said.
"We recognise that families may have changed over time, and children of victims are now adults who may wish to register their interest in receiving information about the pending proceedings."
The AFP acknowledges and respects that survivors and the next of kin of the Indonesian terrorist attacks will have differing views about receiving official updates from authorities.
The Australian Government, through the AFP and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will continue to work with the United States authorities to ensure affected Australians can access appropriate information and, where they wish, engage with the trial process.
We acknowledge this may be a difficult time for those affected, for 24-hour support, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
