An Australian tourist has allegedly been bashed to death at a bar in Bali.
Troy Scott Johnston, from Perth, was allegedly beaten over the head with a bar stool at Uncle Benz Cafe in South Kuta at about 4am on Thursday morning.
The 40-year-old was rushed to Bimc Hospital but died of his injuries.
Gede Wijaya, the 20-year-old Indonesian owner of the bar, has been charged with murder.
Mr Johnston, who worked for Rio Tinto at Perth Airport, was in Bali with his wife Ni Nyoman Purnianti and his young son.
Ms Purnianti told police her husband had gone out for a drink at 7.30pm.
“At 10.30pm Purnianti contacted Scott and he replied that he was still drinking,” Indonesian police said.
Ms Purnianti and her brother went to look for Mr Johnston at around 3.45am, and found him “lying in a pool of blood” on the bar’s terrace, police said.
Police said that Wijaya claims Mr Johnston was “throwing bottles on the street”, leading to a confrontation.
“Wijaya was attacked and slammed, they both wrestled on the floor, Scott quickly got up and grab a chair and throw it at Wijaya,” police alleged.
Police said that Wijaya claims he grabbed the chair from Mr Johnston causing it to hit his head.
Wijaya was hauled into a police press conference in an orange jumpsuit.“I am very regretful and have no intention to do that because I know him very well so I don’t have any intention to do that,” he said.
A Rio Tinto spokesman said: “We are devastated by the news that one of our much loved and valued team members has tragically passed away overseas.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Troy’s family and friends, and we are providing them all the support we can during this very difficult time.
“Troy’s colleagues are deeply saddened and we are providing them access to a range of support services.”