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ABC News
ABC News
National
Indonesia correspondent Bill Birtles in Jakarta

Noosa man accused of drunken rampage in Indonesia meets with alleged victim, reaches $25k compensation agreement

An Australian man accused of going on a naked, drunken rampage in a conservative Indonesian province will be free to go home next month, after striking a compensation deal with his victim’s family.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, was detained in late April near a surf resort in Indonesia's Aceh province, which practices Islamic sharia law, including a ban on alcohol.

Police accused him of drinking vodka on the island and attacking multiple people, including a fisherman who had to be hospitalised with a serious foot injury.

He faced up to 5 years in jail if convicted.

But Mr Risby-Jones and the fisherman came face to face at a reconciliation meeting brokered by local prosecutors on Friday, where they agreed to a compensation payment to avoid the case going to court.

The Australian told the ABC it "feels good" to have a resolution as he was brought to the meeting.

Mr Risby-Jones said "feels good" to have a resolution as he was brought to the meeting with the fisherman. (ABC News)

He said it has "taken a long time to find a peace resolution but now that we are there now it is good".

“Staying in an Indonesia cell for a month is hard for the body and for mental [state], but considering everything, I think my health is doing good," he said in an interview while handcuffed and flanked by police.

Mr Risby-Jones's lawyer in Aceh did not disclose the compensation amount the two sides agreed on, but local authorities in Aceh said it was 250 million rupiah ($A25,000), which was handed over in cash on Friday.

A source told the ABC an additional $5,000 was earlier handed over to the family of the fisherman for medical treatment.

"Bodhi's family and friends are very grateful to Mr Edi Ron and his family for reaching a settlement," Andrea and Ben Risby-Jones said in a statement.

Australian man 'happy' the victim's family accepts his apology

The fisherman, Edi Ron, is recovering from broken bones, 50 stitches and a serious infection in his right foot, after Mr Risby-Jones admitted to attacking him during the rampage late last month.

His wife, Eri Saljuna had previously said she and her husband were willing to forgive the Australian if they can reach a peaceful resolution.

On Friday Mr Risby-Jones came face to face with Mr Ron, who had to be carried into the meeting because the foot injury he sustained hasn't improved.

Mr Risby-Jones also apologised personally to Mr Ron's wife, who was presented with brown bags of cash as part of the settlement deal.

"I hope the money can be used to help you guys a lot," he told her through an interpreter.

"I am once again very sorry and I'm very happy that you accepted my apology. Thank you."

Ms Saljuna told the Australian "we are like family" now.

"For the future what [money] we have received from you would be useful and please pray also for my husband to heal as before [and] be able to work normally," she said.

Aside from the compensation, Mr Risby-Jones and the Australian-managed surf resort he was staying at will also have to pay for a cleansing ceremony in the town, which will involve slaughtering a cow.

His family says they will continue to cooperate with Indonesian authorities to bring Mr Risby-Jones home to Australia as soon as possible.

The Australian will remain detained for another fortnight on the island of Simeulue while higher level authorities in Indonesia approve the deal, which is expected to be a formality.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, from Noosa was taken into custody in Aceh in Indonesia after allegedly attacking locals while naked. (Supplied: Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, Facebook)
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