World

Infamous Aussie tourist Bodhi Risby-Jones returns home after attacking Indonesian fisherman

08:31 am on 11 June 2023

The ABC believes 23-year-old Bodhi Risby-Jones will land back in Australia today. Photo: AFP / Aceh Ministry of Justice and Human Rights regional office

An Australian man accused of going on a drunken, naked rampage in Indonesia's most conservative province is almost home.

Noosa man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones was arrested in Aceh province in late April after he attacked a local fisherman who suffered a cracked heel bone, a broken ankle and required 50 stitches.

Risby-Jones was on a surfing holiday in Aceh when the incident occurred. It's alleged he drank alcohol and stripped naked before chasing and striking local villagers.

He faced up to five years' jail time for the assault, and a potential 40 lashings due the involvement of alcohol in the incident.

Aceh has been governed under Sharia since 2014, banning alcohol and gambling and making the province markedly different from tourist hotspots like Bali.

Bodhi Risby-Jones was freed from detention in Aceh after payment was made to the fisherman he injured. Photo: AFP / Aceh Ministry of Justice and Human Rights regional office

Risby-Jones took full responsibility for the incident through a family statement shortly after the incident.

He was paraded around in front of the media in a balaclava and an orange jumpsuit, but ultimately avoided jail or serious corporal punishment.

The matter was resolved through "restorative justice" which involved a compensation payment made to the injured fisherman, Edi Ron, and his family.

Released from jail on Tuesday, the 23-year-old is finally on his way back home.

The ABC understands Risby-Jones will land in Melbourne this morning, before catching a connecting flight to Maroochydore airport.

- ABC