Mohamed Rifai walks free from Bali prison after assaulting security guard outside Finns Beach Club

A surprise development has unfolded for Australian Mohamed Rifai, who assaulted a security guard in a brawl outside a posh beach club in Bali.

Australian man Mohamed Rifai who was last week sentenced to four months’ prison after he was found guilty of assaulting a security guard during a brawl at Finns Beach Club in Bali has walked free.

The 27-year-old from south-west Sydney had learned his fate on Thursday June 5 after he pleaded guilty to hitting security guard Made Bagus Yohanandita in a brawl outside the popular beach club in February.

But the prosecutor in the case on Thursday confirmed that Rifai was released from Denpasar Police Detention Center this morning as he had already served most of his sentence.

Mohamed Rifai was seen smiling after the sentence was handed down and hugged his father on his way out of the courtroom. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

His father, who had been by his son’s side in earlier hearings, was waiting for Rifai as he was released.

“Mohamed Rifai has walked free from detention this morning,” Bali prosecutor office spokesperson, Putu Eka Sabana said.

Rifai had apologised for his actions and begged for a light sentence in an earlier hearing, and was seen smiling after he learned his fate as he hugged his father on his way out of the courtroom.

“I am very, very sorry for my actions on that night,” Rifai had told Denpasar District Court.

“I am not a rough person. I have a family that I should protect in Australia. I beg you to give the lightest sentence.”

Judge Anak Agung Made Aripathi said a panel of judges had found Rifai guilty of assault and in violation of article 351 subsection 1 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.

“The defendant’s actions have caused the victim to suffer injuries such as losing teeth and bleeding to his nose,” the judge told the court.

The prosecutor considered several mitigating factors such as Rifai’s polite manner during the trial, his admittance of injuring the guard, feeling regret, his promise to not commit the crime again and his clean criminal record.

The prosecutor also considered that there had been a peace agreement made between the defendant and the victim.

Originally published as Mohamed Rifai walks free from Bali prison after assaulting security guard outside Finns Beach Club