Aussie man accused of sparking wild brawl at world famous Finns Beach Club in Bali makes a stunning claim about what happened – as he faces court for the first time
The lawyer of an Australian man accused of assaulting a security guard at a popular beach club while holidaying in Bali claims his client acted in self-defence.
Mohamed Rifai, 27, from Sydney’s south-west, appeared in Denpasar District Court for the first time on Tuesday, two months after the alleged attack outside the Finns Beach Club in Canguu.
He made no comment as he arrived for day one of his trial wearing a red prison vest over a white shirt surrounded by a large media pack.
Rifai faces up to five years behind bars in Indonesia if he’s found guilty.
Bali prosecutor Lovi Pusnawan read out the indictment in court and charged Rifai with article 351 subsection one and subsection two of the criminal code.
‘The defendant Mohamed Rifai’s act has caused the victim to suffer injuries in the head, bruises in the mouth, and loss of his teeth,’ he told the panel of judges.
‘The defendant assaulted the victim causing the victim to suffer severe injuries.’
The 27-year-old decided against lodging an objection over the indictment and didn’t make any comments during or after the proceedings.
Sydney man Mohamed Rifai (pictured, front) appeared in Bali’s Denpasar District Court for the first time on Tuesday
Footage of the beach club brawl was shared on social media (pictured)
Speaking outside court, Rifai’s lawyer Sabam Antonius claimed that his client was the victim in the alleged incident.
‘He only defended himself after he was attacked,’ he told reporters.
‘My client is the victim.’
Mr Antonius added the job of a security guard was to protect customers and ‘not fighting with members in the bar’.
The trial will resume on May 8 to hear from witnesses.
Rifai remains in custody over the alleged brawl between five Aussies and up to 15 security staff at Finns Beach Club on February 11.
Footage of the brawl was shared on social media following the incident.
The head of the venue’s security alleged the tourists attacked staff after they were asked to leave the bar.
Mohamed Rifai (pictured, left) did not provide any comment during or after the proceedings
Rifai’s lawyer Sabam Antonius (pictured) claimed that his client was the victim
The alleged incident escalated into a wild brawl with security guards in the parking lot outside.
Bali police also charged eight security guards with ‘group assault’ over the alleged melee.
Mr Rifai’s mother broke her silence earlier this year to defend her son when she visited him in jail.
‘They were all fighting in self defence because they were (allegedly) attacked by security first, that’s all I can say,’ she claimed.
‘Security (allegedly) started it and they had to fight back in defence – they were trying to get out of the situation.’
Rifai appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday (pictured). he will return to court on May 8
The four other Aussies involved in the incident were not charged as Bali police have deemed them to be ‘witnesses’ to the alleged brawl.
Four security guards were allegedly injured during the fight. One guard had his teeth and nose broken and suffered a significant laceration to the back of his head.
A second guard allegedly suffered a bite wound to his hand and cuts to his arm, while two others suffered bruising and head abrasions.
