Huge update after Aussie tourist was jailed in Bali for savage brawl at Finns Beach Club

By ZAK WHEELER and MAX ALDRED FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 16:30 BST, 12 June 2025 | Updated: 16:51 BST, 12 June 2025

An Australian involved in a brawl in Bali that went viral on social media has been released from prison after serving a four-month sentence for assaulting security guards.

Mohamed Rifai, 27, was released from Denpasar Police Detention Center early Thursday morning following the brawl at the popular Finns Beach Club in February.

Rifai, from south-west Sydney, was involved in a carpark brawl outside the famous beach club in February.

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

The release came shortly after Rifai appeared in Denpasar District Court where he addressed the courtroom with an impassioned plea for leniency on June 3.

Prosecutors had originally been recommended a five month sentence.

‘I am very, very sorry for my actions that night,’ Rifai had 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 was released from custody in Bali on Thursday

The 27-year-old from south-west Sydney was involved in a brawl with security guards outside Finns Beach Club in February

The 27-year-old was released by a prosecutor and picked up by his father at the detention centre he was being held at.  

‘Mohamed Rifai walked free from detention today in the morning,’ the spokesperson of Bali Prosecutor, Putu Eka Sabana said.

Rifai was not taken to the immigration office for deportation and instead was allowed to remain in the country unlike most other tourists who break the country’s law. 

Prosecutors have no obligation to coordinate with immigration regarding his release, Putu Eka Sabana said.

Therefore, Rifai was released without being taken to the immigration office.

It is understood that Rifai was never detained at the notorious Kerobokan prison due to overcapacity issues. 

Instead he was held at Denpasar Police Detention while prosecutors worked his case, Putu Eka Sabana said. 

Public prosecutor Lovi Pusnawan initially wanted Rifai to be found guilty of assault in violation of article 351, subsection 1, of the Indonesian Criminal Code. 

The prosecutor had argued for a five-month prison sentence which Rifai was able to avoid 

Rifai was allowed to remain in the country unlike most other tourists who break the country’s law and face deportation

Twelve security guards from Finns Beach Club (pictured) were named as suspects by police on Tuesday

The maximum penalty for assault occasioning serious injury is five years’ prison in Indonesia.

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.

During his victim testimony, Rifai recalled how the brawl was sparked by Mr Ebid’s eviction from the club and 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 had told the court this his client was committed to ‘self-improvement’ and would strive to live a better life upon his release. 

He didn’t have a criminal record prior to the melee. 

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Huge update after Aussie tourist was jailed in Bali for savage brawl at Finns Beach Club

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