‘Drunk’ Aussie tradie who went on a naked rampage in Indonesia is forced to apologise on TV for ‘making a fool of myself’ – as he is freed from jail after paying compo to fisherman he injured
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An Australian tradesman who was jailed for an alleged drunk and naked rampage in a conservative Indonesian province has been freed.
Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, had been in an Indonesian prison cell since late April after he was accused by police of drunken attacks on multiple people, including on one man who suffered serious leg injuries.
His release comes after he reached a compensation deal with the fisherman’s family, reportedly agreeing to pay him AU$25,000 to prevent the case from going to court.
The Queensland surfer apologised for the incident in a news conference after his release from Sinabang prison on Tuesday, in which he acknowledged the stupidity of his actions.
‘I’m very, very relieved and happy,’ he said. ‘I made a fool of myself and it was shown publicly worldwide.’
Australian tradesman Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones – who was jailed in April for an alleged drunk and naked rampage in a conservative Indonesian province – was freed on Tuesday
Mr Risby-Jones (seen in a Facebook photo) had been behind bars in Indonesia since late April
The Queensland surfer apologised for the incident in a news conference after his release from Sinabang prison on Tuesday. He is seen here speaking to police upon his release
Mr Risby-Jones went on to thank the Indonesian prosecutors ‘for helping me’, as well as the police ‘and everyone who helped us finalise… the deal so I could go home’.
The ABC reported he will appear at an immigration office on Wednesday morning to sign some paperwork before heading back to Australia.
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Local authorities previously said the $25,000 compo was handed over in cash last month; however, the lawyer for the Noosa local did not confirm that amount.
If he had gone to court and been found guilty, Mr Risby-Jones faced five years in a tough Indonesian prison.
Parading foreigners accused of crimes is common practice in the Indonesian justice system – but things could have been a lot worse for Mr Risby-Jones, who will soon be back in Australia
Mr Risby-Jones’s release follows a compensation deal with fisherman Edi Ron (pictured), whom he injured, reportedly agreeing to pay him AU$25,000 to prevent the case from going to court
The incident took place in the highly conservative Aceh province on the northwest tip of Sumatra Island.
It is the only province in Indonesia governed by Sharia law and prohibits the drinking of alcohol.
The fisherman Edi Ron, who was allegedly knocked off his motorcycle by Mr Risby-Jones, required at least 50 stitches in his foot, according to Indonesian police chief Jatmiko.
Mr Risby-Jones’s actions reportedly caused an angry mob to threaten to burn down his accommodation.
He had reportedly been drinking vodka before he stripped in his room at the Moon Beach Resort sometime after midnight.
Local police allege he left his room still naked and assaulted a security officer who attempted to stop him before going on to cause havoc in the streets.
Police alleged Mr Risby-Jones left his hotel in a drunken state just after midnight on April 27, punched a security guard in the neck and knocked Mr Ron off his motorbike
The incident took place in the highly conservative Aceh province on the northwest tip of Sumatra Island. When asked if he knew alcohol was outlawed in Aceh, the Queenslander said: ‘I was not aware, no, I was not aware. I understand now’
