Aussie dad facing jail time in Bali over wild Finns Beach Club brawl issues a desperate plea to the judge

A young Aussie man involved in a carpark brawl outside a world famous beach club in Bali has issued a grovelling plea to the judges who are preparing to sentence him. 

Mohamed Rifai, 27, from south-west Sydney, will learn on Thursday whether he will spend more time behind bars over the savage melee outside Finns Beach Club in North Kuta in February. 

He and eight security guards remain in custody over the brawl which involved up to 15 security staff and four other Australian tourists.

Rifai appeared in Denpasar District Court on Tuesday, where he addressed the courtroom with an impassioned plea for leniency.

It came after the prosecutor recommended a five month sentence.

‘I am very, very sorry for my actions that night,’ a remorseful Rifai told the court. 

‘I am not a rough person. I have a family that I should protect in Australia. 

‘I beg you to give me the possible lightest sentence.’

Mohamed Rifai, 27, was accused of assault following a brawl outside Finns Beach Club

Rifai was accompanied by his father in court as the judges prepare for sentencing

Rifai at one point turned in the courtroom to embrace his father, who has arrived on the holiday island to support him ahead of Thursday’s sentencing. 

Public prosecutor Lovi Pusnawan told the court that Rifai was guilty of assault in violation of article 351, subsection 1, of the Indonesian Criminal Code. 

He urged the judges to imprison Rifai for five months. The maximum penalty for assault occasioning serious injury is five years’ prison in Indonesia. 

‘We demand the panel of judges to find defendant Mohamed Rifai legally and convincingly guilty on assault charge as regulate in article 351 subsection 1, and demand the panel of judge to sentence the defendant to 5 months imprisonment, minus the time he has already served,’ Mr Pusnawan said. 

The prosecutor considered the injuries caused in the beach club brawl as an aggravating factor. 

He also considered several mitigating factors, including Rifai’s polite nature during the trial, admission of guilt, displays of remorse, and the ‘peace agreement’ between himself and security guards involved in the brawl. 

Rifai’s lawyer Sabam Antonius read Rifai’s defence statement in response.  

‘We respectfully request the honourable panel of judges to take into consideration the following points,’ he read. 

‘I am very, very sorry for my actions at that night,’ a remorseful Rifai told the court

Five Australians clashed with security guards outside Finns Beach Club on February 11

‘Throughout the trial process, the defendant has demonstrated a proactive attitude; the defendant provided clear and straightforward explanations during the examination without being evasive or contradictory. 

‘The defendant’s actions were a spontaneous and reactive response, without any prior intention; the defendant acted in an attempt to protect his friend; as a result of the incident, the defendant himself became a victim due to the actions of the security personnel and sustained injuries.’

Mr Antonius referenced last week’s court session, where Rifai and the security guards involved in the brawl publicly forgave each other.  

‘A peace agreement has been made and documented in a written statement dated February 24, 2025,’ he read.

‘The defendant has admitted and accepted responsibility for his actions and sincerely regrets his behaviour.’

He added that Rifai is committed to ‘self-improvement’ and living a better life. He didn’t have a criminal record prior to the melee.  

‘In light of these considerations, we kindly request that this case be resolved with the lightest possible sentence,’ Mr Antonius said. 

Last week in court, Rifai claimed he acted in self defence while he was allegedly attacked by the security guards after they escorted his friend John Ebid from the club.

Rifai said he was ‘very, very sorry’ for his involvement in the brawl while holidaying in Bali

He is accused of inflicting major injuries on security staff, including Made Bagus Yohanandita, who suffered head injuries and lost several teeth.

In a surprise twist, Rifai shook hands and embraced each of the co-accused security guards in front of the judge after giving evidence against them on Tuesday.

‘Will you forgive them?’, the judge asked Rifai.

‘Yes, I will,’ Rifai replied.

The judge responded: ‘Please, all of you forgive each other.

During his victim testimony, Rifai recalled how the brawl was sparked by Mr Ebid’s eviction from the club.

‘I was in the main pool and saw my friend being taken out so I approached him (a security guard),’ he told the court.

‘I asked what happened and he said to let him take him (Mr Ebid) but then they did the same thing to me.’

The Balinese public prosecutor sought a prison term of five months from the judges

One of the  15 guards allegedly involved in the brawl was seen with serious injuries after the brawl

When asked if the security used any weapons, Rifai claimed they used bamboo.

‘(I was hit) in my face, my head, almost all my body,’ he said.

‘They kicked my stomach also.’

Rifai added he had been to Finns Beach Club several times with family and friends previously and had ‘never had a bad experience before’.

The eight security guards charged over the brawl include I Gede Laksemana Aryawan, I Gusti Putu Agus Surya Negara, Wayan Alit Junaedi, I Made Ivan Darma Saputra, I Nengah Dading Gunadi, I Gede Ngurah Alit Sujana, I Ketut Gede Mawantara and I Nyoman Mertayasa. 

Rifai will spend another month behind bars if the recommended five month sentence is handed down. 

The trial resumes on Thursday. 

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