SEMARAPURA

A 60-year-old Australian man who allegedly shot a tour guide with an air rifle at his business premises on Lembongan Island on December 2 remains free on an undertaking by his lawyer that he will present himself to police whenever requested to do so.

Brian Thomas Hages, of Perth, Western Australia, is expected to be formally charged over the shooting of tour guide I Wayan Roy Prabawa, 23, when police have handed their investigation file to prosecutors.

Klungkung Police criminal investigation chief Ida Bagus Putra said this week: “The suspect has been interrogated, but we have not arrested him because he is ill. In addition to being ill, the suspect is of an advanced age.”

Putra said Hages’ lawyer had given police a guarantee that Hages would remain in Bali and be available for police whenever requested.

Hages is the owner of the Main Sky Garden in Jungut Batu village, on Lembongan, scene of the alleged shooting following an argument between him and Prabawa, in which it will be alleged Prabawa was wounded in the right knee by an air rifle pellet.

Lembongan Police dispersed a crowd which attempted to enter Hages’ premises after the shooting.