‘I beg you’: Aussie in Bali brawl case makes desperate plea
Australian Mohamed Rifai, who has been accused of assaulting a security guard in Bali in a brawl that went viral, has asked for leniency as the prosecutor revealed the sentence he deserves.
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The prosecutor in Mohamed Rifai’s trial has demanded the panel of judges sentence the Australian to five months in prison.
Prosecutor Lovi Pusnawan said that Mr Rifai has been found guilty of assault and has violated article 351 subsection 1 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.
The 27-year-old from south-west Sydney has been accused of hitting security guard Made Bagus Yohanandita in a brawl outside popular Finns Beach Club in Bali in February.
The prosecutor considered several mitigating factors, including Mr Rifai’s polite manner during the trial, his admittance of injuring the guard, feeling regret, and his promise to not commit the crime again.
The prosecutor also considered that there had been a peace agreement made between the defendant and the victim.
Following the prosecutor’s demand, Mr Rifai’s lawyer Sabam Antonius conveyed his defence statement.
“The defendant has admitted and accepted responsibility for his actions and sincerely regrets his behaviour,” the statement read in part.
“The defendant has no prior criminal record, either in his home country or in Indonesia. In light of these considerations, we kindly request that this case be resolved with the lightest possible sentence.”
Mr Rifai also offered his apologies in the courtroom.
“I am very, very sorry for my actions on that night,” he said.
“I am not a rough person. I have a family that I should protect in Australia. I beg you to give the lightest sentence.”
In an emotional court appearance last week, Mr Rifai embraced and shook hands with the eight security guards he is accused of brawling with in Bali.
After giving his witness testimony, Mr Rifai and the eight security guards forgave each other, hugging in front of the panel of judges in Denpasar District Court.
“Witness, would you forgive the defendants?” the presiding judge asked Mr Rifai.
“Yes,” Rifai answered.
All eight guards are charged with article 351 subsection 1, assault causing minor injuries, and have been accused of assaulting Mr Rifai, his brothers and his friend, Mr John Ebid.
Mr Rifai’s trial will continue on Thursday this week to hear the sentence.
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