JAKARTA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is reviewing its plan to release firebrand terrorist convict Abu Bakar Bashir after he refused to sign a document pledging his loyalty to Indonesia's national principle of Pancasila.
The review over Bashir's release was conveyed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the presidential palace on Tuesday.
"There are mechanisms that we have to go through. This (the release) is on conditions, not totally free for granted. The terms (for the release) must be fulfilled," Widodo said.
He added that the poor health condition were government's initial consideration to release him.
"Like I have conveyed before, it was due to humanitarian reason," Widodo said.
Bashir, 81, was believed to have connections with al- Qaida and perpetrators of terror attacks in Indonesia some two decades ago, including the Bali bombings in October 2002 that killed more than 200 people.
Coordinator Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto said earlier on Monday that the government would take more reviews to release him.
As a terrorist convict, Bashir must fulfill basic requirements that include a statement of his loyalty to Pancasila as well as to the state and several legal aspects, Wiranto said.
The plan to release Bashir was to respond his family's request submitted to the government in 2017 due to his ailing condition in prison.
In 2011, Bashir was sentenced to 15 years in prison for setting up a training camp for militants.
