Queensland man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones’s lawyer says jail ‘better than paying compo for Indonesian rampage’

The lawyer for a young Queensland man facing assault charges in Aceh says it might be better for his client to go to jail.

Queensland man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, left.

The lawyer for a Queensland man facing assault charges for an alleged drunken rampage in Indonesia says it might work out better for his client to serve a jail sentence than pay a $61,000 compensation claim.

Authorities in the country’s conservative Muslim province of Aceh have confirmed Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, will not be caned but say he is still facing up to five years in jail for the alleged assault of a passing motorcyclist who sustained injuries to his foot.

They say he will not be caned for drinking alcohol because local Sharia law does not apply to him.

Mr Risby-Jones’s lawyer, Idris, said the family of Edi Ron was keen to settle the case out of court but the two sides had reached a stalemate over the compensation amount and it might work out better for his client to serve a jail sentence.

“The maximum penalty is five years but with considerations the prosecutor may demand a shorter time,” Idris said. He said his client had shown great remorse over his actions and his family had already contributed $5000 to the victim’s medical bills and other expenses through resort manager Safwan Siregar before Mr Ron’s family made their “exorbitant” claim

Mr Ron’s family is seeking $61,000 in compensation.

Local man Edi Ron ‘attacked’

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones is accused of an alleged naked, drunken rampage on the quiet surfing mecca of Simeulue island late in April, when he reportedly attacked local man Edi Ron as he passed by the resort where he was staying on a motorcycle.

Mr Ron is receiving treatment in the Aceh capital, Banda Aceh, for his injuries and his family is seeking compensation.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, from Noosa, is escorted by police to address a press conference where he admitted to attacking local fisherman Edi Ron.

As Mr Risby-Jones’s family seeks to settle the case out of court with the victim, the Australian’s fate rests on negotiations led by the victim’s brother-in-law Poni Harjo, a local government councillor under a corruption cloud, and public relations manager for the resort Safwan Siregar, a fuel distributor to the island.

At the weekend, Mr Harjo denied his family was seeking $61,000 in compensation, as previously reported, insisting the figure was only a starting point for discussions towards a possible settlement.

Mr Harjo said the compensation must match the pain endured by his brother-in-law, who suffered broken bones and damage to the nerves and veins in his left foot from a wound that required 50 stitches.

Mr Ron also endured a gruelling 17-hour boat ride from Simeulue to Calang in mainland Aceh to receive treatment in a bigger hospital and has since undergone two surgeries.

“The doctor has ordered a third surgery to clean the infection and fix the severed nerves and vein, but he could not bear the pain. The family is now trying to persuade him to agree with it,” Mr Harjo told The Australian.

Edi Ron in hospital.

Reasonable compensation should not only cover expenses for treatment and recuperation for Mr Ron, but cost-of-living expenses, any permanent disability, and costs associated with a traditional ceremony – peusijuek – required to cleanse the village, he argued “but this is just a draft proposal from us. It is not final.”

Mr Harjo was forced to clarify his initial compensation claim after some local people connected the exorbitant figure (by local standards) to his current legal troubles related to alleged false travel expenses claims in 2019.

He is facing trial in the Banda Aceh Corruption Court with two other councillors over charges they created fictitious plane tickets and hotel bills, and signed travel orders on fictitious activities. Despite the ongoing trial, Mr Harjo is seeking candidacy for re-election as a local councillor.

Mr Risby Jones’s lawyer, Idris, confirmed the victim’s family was seeking a $61,000 and said Bodhi’s family had already paid close to $5000 through Mr Siregar to cover health bills, transportation and other expenses.