An Aussie surfer who was locked in an Indonesian jail for more than a month after an alleged drunken attack has landed safely down under.
And in a wild development, he claimed the loved ones of the fisherman he allegedly severely injured considers him their family and has invited him to stay with them if he returns to Indonesia.
Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones was arrested in the ultraconservative province of Aceh on April 27 after allegedly terrorising a conservative beach village on the small North Sumatran island.
A furious mob reportedly threatened to burn down the 23-year-old’s accommodation after he was accused of running drunk and naked from his resort and allegedly assaulted several people.
A fisherman was left with several broken bones, 50 stitches and a serious foot infection.
The carpenter from Noosa in Queensland faced a maximum five years in prison if he was charged and convicted of assault.
But he avoided a courtroom and secured a journey home after securing a compensation deal with the fisherman’s family reportedly worth $25,000 and apologising for the incident.
His lawyer said he was the first foreigner to successfully resolve a case through restorative justice in Aceh province, according to Nine News.
The outlet reports Mr Risby-Jones’ lawyer, Idris Marbawi, said Mr Risby-Jones agreed to pay the fisherman’s family for hospital fees and the sides held a traditional peace ceremony.
He told Nine News he was “pretty emotional” and he is “going to feel bad” about what happened.
But he said the fisherman’s relatives forgave him and said he was part of their family now.
“I’m welcome to come back and even stay at their house whenever I want,” he said.
“So, that feeling of guilt is definitely much smaller that it was originally.”
Mr Risby-Jones continued: “It’s been a long time coming and I’m feeling amazing and super happy and grateful … Everyone has been very nice and accommodated me well. Thank you.”
Mr Risby-Jones, who was on a surfing holiday at the time of the alleged rampage, was released from jail Tuesday after completing a restorative justice process.
Mr Marbawi said Mr Risby-Jones stayed at an immigration detention centre after being released, before flying to Melbourne where he would make his way back to the Sunshine Coast.
As Mr Risby-Jones was released from prison, a bizarre photograph emerged of him posing with police.
He was also seen hugging several prison wardens as he farewelled them.
Aceh is the only province in Indonesia governed by sharia law and bans alcohol.
Mr Risby-Jones had reportedly been drinking a vodka before he stripped in his room at the Moon Beach Resort sometime after midnight.
Local police allege he left his room still naked and assaulted a security officer, who attempted to stop him before he allegedly went on to cause havoc in the streets.
Last month, pictures of Mr Risby-Jones’ 3m x 3m cell emerged, showing a tiny bed in an area behind bars, with a sleeping space and small toilet around the corner.
In a news conference following his release from jail, Mr Risby-Jones apologised for his actions.
“I’m very, very relieved and happy,” he said.
“I made a fool of myself and it was shown publicly worldwide. I’d like to thank the prosecutors for helping me, I’d like to thank the police and everyone who helped us finalise and finish the deal so I could go home.”