AFL star Ricky Olarenshaw’s ex freed in Bali

AFL star Ricky Olarenshaw’s estranged wife, who was jailed for running a brothel in Bali, has tasted freedom for the first time in seven months. But now she faces another battle, to see her kids.

An AFL star’s estranged wife who was jailed for running a brothel in Bali is now set for a battle to see her children.

Ricky Olarenshaw’s ex Saranitha walked out of the notorious Kerobokan prison after spending seven months behind bars.

When asked how it felt to be released on Friday, she replied: “It’s good, finally I get to see my kids.”

She shares children with Olarenshaw, who played in Essendon’s 1993 premiership.

Ricky Olarenshaw’s estranged wife Saranitha leaves Kerobokan prison. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Saranitha has consistently blamed Olarenshaw for dragging her into the operation of the brothel, which he has denied.

Bali police have confirmed that Olarenshaw was not being investigated.

Issues relating to their children were expected to be a new challenge between the bitterly divided couple.

Olarenshaw has filed paperwork in Bali seeking to be recognised as the father of the children he shares with Saranitha.

The couple were only married in a Hindu Balinese ceremony, not in a legally binding marriage.

Sarnanitha walked free after 7 months in jail. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Indonesian law only recognises the father of children born within a legal marriage.

Saranitha ducked her head as she walked out of a grey-steel door and into the sunlight on Friday morning.

She brushed her long brown hair out of her eyes as she was approached by a pack of reporters and camera operators.

The former Instagram influencer appeared well despite sharing a cell with up to 30 people during her jail stint.

She was wearing a crisp white t-shirt and two handmade friendship bracelets on her right wrist.

Her brother’s wife Tirai Bintang collected her from jail and they drove left out of the road outside the prison in a stylish white BMW SUV.

Sarnanitha Olarenshaw is no set to battle to see her children. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

The 38-year-old, whose full name is Ni Ketut Sri Astari Saranitha, was found guilty in Bali’s Denpasar District Court of breaching Indonesia’s pornography laws.

The court found that Saranitha was responsible for running the Flame Spa syndicate as a brothel.

She was sentenced to seven months’ jail in March but was released on Friday because the court considered the time she had already served since her arrest in October.

Her case has been widely covered in Australia and has been a significant story in Bali, which wanted to take a tough line on brothels on the holiday island.

There were fears that Bali may turn into a new version of the seedy sex strips in Thailand, expats warned, after a string of brothels opened up.

Sarnanitha was arrested in a police raid on Flame Spa and Massage in Seminyak. She was found guilty in Bali’s Denpasar District Court of breaching Indonesia’s pornography laws. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Saranitha was caught in a series of raids, which also netted middle class Melbourne couple Michael and Lynley Le Grand.

They remain in jail after also being convicted of running a brothel through the Pink Palace Spa in Seminyak.

Sources in Bali claimed the opening of that brothel and the blatant advertising had led to the crackdown.

Saranitha has consistently maintained that Olarenshaw, her former husband, was behind the brothel.

Rick Olarenshaw during his 50th birthday in Bali with Saranitha. Picture: Facebook

Court documents in Bali alleged that Olarenshaw was a shareholder in the brothels and had arranged for lingerie for the massage therapists.

Saranitha also alleged in court that three other Australians were shareholders in the brothel.

Messages uncovered outside court alleged there had been a dispute of money made at the brothels before Saranitha was arrested.

Saranitha was expected to rebuild her life in Bali with her children.

Olarenshaw, 52, was living back in Australia while his former partner was in jail, with her family looking after their children.

It was unclear whether he planned to relocate to Bali where he also owns a chain of F45 gyms.

Olarenshaw has not responded to several requests for comment, saying he will tell his version of the story at a later date.

Originally published as AFL star Ricky Olarenshaw’s ex freed in Bali