ONE of the terrorists behind the 2005 Bali bombings has been released on parole after serving just half his original prison sentence.

Muhammad Cholili, 36, helped assemble more than 20 backpack and motorcycle bombs — some of which were used in the October, 2005 attacks in Bali that killed 20 people, including four Australians.

More than 120 others were injured in the evening blasts that struck the popular tourist areas of Kuta and Jimbaran Beach.

FIRST PHOTOS OF THE BALI KILLING FIELDS

WHY JULIE BISHOP IS ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS

ANDREW CHAN'S DEATH ROW DIARIES PART 1

ANDREW CHAN'S DEATH ROW DIARIES PART2

News_Image_File: Indonesian police officers walking through the remains of the Jimbaran beach restaurant, October 2, 2005.

Judges handing down an 18-year prison sentence described Cholili as “a dangerous man” who had shown no remorse for his actions.

But the smiling terrorist, who happily declared to media after his conviction that “God’s destiny really is beautiful”, was released on Wednesday, supposedly to reward “good behaviour”.

Parole was approved after a reduction of his sentence to coincide with Idul Fitri, an Indonesian national holiday when jail terms are frequently reviewed.

“He has never broken any prison regulations,” Indonesian justice ministry prisons spokeswoman Ika Yusanti said. “If he commits any crime or creates any problems in the community, he will be sent back to prison.”

News_Image_File: Muhammad Cholili in court in Denpasar, May 2006.

Cholili’s premature release apparently came as a surprise to the man himself, with Indonesia’s Jakarta Globe reporting that he knew nothing of it until Wednesday.

“I’ve just got the information from the prison warden today. No members of my family know,” he said.

Cholili said his priority was “to go home and meet my family”.

It is a privilege denied the 20 people killed in the bombings nine years ago, whose families and friends continue to mourn their deaths.

Indonesian authorities said they would continue to monitor Cholili, who would be prohibited from travelling overseas without ministerial approval.

The Daily Telegraph reported in May that more than 30 Indonesian terrorists who took part in the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings had walked free.