An Australian accused of a violent rampage in Indonesia has been paraded before media in Aceh province, in a prison jumpsuit and balaclava.
Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, from Noosa, was escorted by police to address a press conference where he admitted to attacking local fisherman Edi Ron in the early hours of last Thursday.
Asked why he attacked the man, who remains in hospital, the Queenslander said he didn't know.
The 23-year-old was on a surfing holiday on the island of Simeulue, off the west coast of Sumatra.
"I'm very sorry for my actions and the embarrassment I've caused — and the embarrassment that I’ve caused for us Aussies overseas — especially Indonesia," Mr Risby-Jones said in a video of the press conference.
"I’m very sorry and yeah, I wish what I did never happened. And I really, really want to come home."
Aceh is the only province in Indonesia governed by Sharia law, which prohibits the consumption of alcohol.
Mr Risby-Jones stressed he was not a frequent drinker when interviewed by police at the press conference.
"I actually don't usually drink that much at home," he said.
"If I do drink though it would be beer usually."
Just one 'tiny' shot
Police also showcased the bottle of vodka he allegedly drank before the rampage.
They said they found the bottle in Mr Risby-Jones's room.
Mr Risby-Jones had previously admitted to having just one "tiny" shot.
Asked why he drank vodka, he replied: "It was at duty free in the airport. And it was cheap and my friends actually purchased it."
Simeulue police chief Jatmiko — who, like many Indonesians, goes by one name — asked the Queenslander if he was aware that Aceh has regulations that are specific to Islamic law, unlike in the rest of Indonesia.
Mr Risby-Jones at first misunderstood the question, before asking,
"Against alcohol?" he asked.
"No, no, in Aceh there are specific regulations," the police chief said.
"I was not aware, no, I was not aware. I understand now," Mr Risby-Jones replied.
Mr Ron and his family are demanding more than $60,000 in compensation to cover his medical costs and loss of work after he was allegedly pushed from his motorbike.
The fisherman suffered a cracked heel bone, a broken ankle and needed 50 stitches.
Authorities had previously said the assault charges could carry a maximum five-year jail sentence if the injuries were serious enough.
Mr Risby-Jones could also face charges under Aceh's strict alcohol prohibition.
If found guilty under Sharia law, he could receive 40 lashes.
A lawyer for Mr Risby-Jones is continuing to negotiate a settlement with the fisherman and his family, in the hope the Queenslander could be released without charge and deported.
Police chief Jatmiko says investigators handed a dossier to prosecutors, who will decide whether Mr Risby-Jones should be charged with assault.
"If they choose to withdraw their police report, or if they want to resolve this issue peacefully among themselves, we can talk about that," he said.
"But, if not, then we're going to continue [processing the case]."
