An Australian man charged with a drunken violent robbery in the nude has had his detention in Indonesia extended after an alleged victim’s injuries worsened.
The lawyer and family of 23-year-old Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones failed to reach a private agreement with Indonesian authorities under which he would be released without charge and deported.
The Sunshine Coast man faces five years in prison and public caning after allegedly assaulting a fisherman on Aceh’s Simeulue Island – a conservative area that applies Islamic Sharia law.
The fisherman Edi Ron tends to several injuries, including broken bones, 50 stitches and painful nerve damage. ABC reported.
Ron’s wife Eri Saljuna said he may have to have his right foot amputated after it broke and became infected.
The lawyer and family of 23-year-old Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones failed to reach an agreement with Indonesian authorities whereby the Aussie would be released without charge and deported.
Fisherman Edi Ron (pictured) tends to several injuries including broken bones, 50 stitches and painful nerve damage after the alleged attack
Mr Risby-Jones was paraded in orange overalls and balaclava after his arrest (pictured)
He was slowly recovering in hospital in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh before opting to go home and rest two weeks ago.
But his condition seems to have worsened.
“He wasn’t allowed to leave the hospital yet, but we wanted to go home because we thought traditional medicine could help,” said Mr. Ron’s wife.
His family demanded that the Queenslander pay 600 million rupiah [A$61,000] to compensate Mr. Ron for the suffering, injury and loss of income following the alleged alcohol-fueled assault.
But the negotiations stalled because treatment on Mr. Ron’s ankle failed while his bones did not heal properly.
He said nerve damage he sustained in the incident made it impossible to even get out of bed, adding that he can’t feel or move anything in his foot.
“I am very upset because there is a possibility that this incident could cause my husband to become permanently disabled,” his wife said.
She added that they don’t know how many months or years it will take for him to recover.
A doctor in Banda Aceh said Mr Ron could either have a metal pin in his foot or have to be amputated.
Risby-Jones was on a three-week surfing holiday off the coast of Sumatra last month when he reportedly drank vodka in Aceh province – which is banned.
Police alleged that just after midnight on April 27, he left his hotel in a drunken state, punched a security guard in the neck, and knocked Mr. Ron off his motorcycle.
Officers arrested him later that day and he has been in custody ever since.
Footage from Mr Risby-Jones’ appearance at a press conference showed him being marched to a stage in handcuffs by police while wearing an orange jumpsuit and black balaclava.
“I am very sorry for my actions and the embarrassment I have caused and the embarrassment I have caused for us Aussies abroad, especially Indonesia,” he told the conference.
“I’m very sorry and yes, I wish what I did never happened. I really want to go home.’
When asked if he knew alcohol was banned in Aceh, the Queensland resident said: ‘I didn’t know, no, I didn’t know. I get it now.
“It was tax-free at the airport. It was cheap and my friends actually bought it.
Just after midnight on April 27, police allegedly left Mr Risby-Jones drunk from his hotel, punched a security guard in the neck and knocked Mr Ron off his motorbike
‘I don’t really drink that much at home. If I do drink, it’s usually beer.’
Indonesian police extended Mr Risby-Jones’ detention until early June and said his stay could be extended if necessary.
If charged, he risks five years behind bars under national criminal law.
Ms. Saljuna said that she and her husband are willing to forgive the young man as long as they resolve the matter peacefully.
‘[Mr Risby-Jones] was the one who harmed my husband and now he can’t work to take care of our children’s future,” she said.
When asked if he knew alcohol was banned in Aceh, the Queensland resident said: ‘I didn’t know, no, I didn’t know. I get it now’