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ABC News
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National

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones felt 'almost possessed' during alleged drunken rampage in Aceh

An Australian man accused of going on a drunken naked rampage in Indonesia's most conservative province says he felt "almost possessed" during the incident.

Noosa man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones was arrested by police in Aceh in the early hours of Thursday morning after the incident at the Lantik Moonbeach Resort on Simeulue Island off the west coast of Sumatra.

It is alleged that shortly after midnight, Mr Risby-Jones chased and struck residents in the village.

He was also accused of attacking a fisherman, causing an injury to his foot that required 50 stitches and broke a bone.

Mr Risby-Jones, 23, had been on a surfing holiday in Aceh and he said he did not feel like himself when the alleged attack happened.

"I feel like not myself, like almost possessed," he told the ABC.

"It was not a good feeling.

"I wasn't myself. Normally I am a very nice guy."

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones said he could "not really" remember what happened. (ABC News)

Mr Risby-Jones, who appeared to have a black eye, said he could "not really" remember what happened on the night.

"I've got hit a lot of times on the ground, people kicked my head, made me forget," he said.

"But I'm a really nice guy at heart. [I] never want to hurt people, so it was very out of character for me. I've never done that before."

Mr Risby-Jones said he had just one small shot of vodka prior to the incident but had been suffering from sunstroke from surfing the day prior.

"We were at the pool and we had a duty-free bottle of vodka. I only had one shot, just one shot.

"And then I was surfing a lot the day before, so I had like sunstroke, not enough drinking water. So it was a lot of things."

He also maintained that he was wearing underwear during the incident.

Police say they can detain Mr Risby-Jones for up to 20 days while an investigation takes place. (ABC News)

On Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was questioned about Mr Risby-Jones's predicament, but said he had not been briefed on it.

"I don't make comments about things that have happened overseas without being briefed," Mr Albanese said.

"But DFAT, when incidents occur, DFAT do a very good job."

Queenslander could face 'flogging'

The Queenslander could face being flogged for breaching anti-alcohol laws. (Supplied: Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, Facebook)

Aceh has been governed under a Sharia-based legal system since 2014, banning the consumption of alcohol, gambling and some forms of dating.

On Friday, Simeulue police chief detective Mayyuhdi said Mr Risby-Jones told police he was holidaying in Aceh because "he's been depressed".

"According to the people who were present at the scene, Bodhi went out of his room completely naked and yelling and causing a ruckus," he said.

"The people there tried to stop him, but Bodhi hit one of them instead."

Mr Risby-Jones faces either two and a half years in prison if the injuries caused are minor or up to five years in prison if the victims' injuries are more serious.

The police chief also said Mr Risby-Jones would be prosecuted for drinking alcohol, which is illegal for Muslims and non-Muslims in Aceh.

He will have a choice to be prosecuted under Sharia law or provincial law in relation to drinking alcohol. Under Sharia law, he would be flogged 40 times if found guilty.

Police said he would be detained for up to 20 days while they investigated the case.

Man's family says he takes 'full responsibility'

Mr Risby-Jones's family issued a statement on Sunday, saying he wanted to apologise to the people of Indonesia for disrespecting their culture and laws.

"He is extremely remorseful and apologetic and acknowledges the pain he has caused the victim," the statement said.

"He further acknowledges the waste of resources his actions have caused the Simeulue Police."

"He is embarrassed and ashamed of his behaviour and wants to hand on heart apologise."

Mr Risby-Jones's family has requested privacy.

"Bodhi would also like to apologise to the Australian people for embarrassing them and is deeply ashamed of the trauma and ongoing distress he has inflicted upon his family," the statement said.

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