Was nude rampage tradie POISONED? Wild theory on why Aussie tourist stripped naked and caused mayhem in Indonesian fishing village
- ‘Black magic’ accused of alleged rampage
- Naked Bodhi Risby-Jones is said to have rioted
- Brian Willy says he’s been poisoned
‘Black magic’ is blamed for the alleged nude disaster by an Australian tragicomedy in a remote Indonesian fishing village.
Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, risks years in an Indonesian prison and public caning after allegedly rioting while drunk and naked, pushing a motorcycle at a fisherman and assaulting a guard, among other things .
He has since been confined to a small 3×3 meter cement cell on Simeulue Island, off the coast of Sumatra, where the alleged incident took place Thursday night, and has been unable to explain his alleged actions, other than heatstroke.
However, an explanation has been given by Australian Brian Willy, who has lived on the island for eight years.
“When I heard about this man (Mr Risby-Jones) the first thing that came to my mind was black magic,” Mr Willy told the Courier Mail.
Queenslander Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones (pictured) faces a long prison sentence and possible public flogging for a drunken assault on an idyllic Indonesian island
“Black magic is actually poisoning and it drives them crazy, they (local residents) might put it in your coffee or tea.”
“They poison people by making a potion or something.
“Since after Covid, there’s been a lot of black magic going on because people think they can make money off it.”
Belief in black magic is widespread in Indonesia and sporadic killing of shamans (practitioners of black magic) has been reported until 2017.
Willy said that while the Islamic faith in the region imposes strict standards of behavior, the island is also famous for its marijuana.
Since the alleged calamity, Mr. Risby-Jones AS has struggled to say what happened to him.
“I don’t feel like myself, almost possessed,” he said under police guard on Saturday
The small Indonesian island of Simeulue has become a surfing mecca, but has strict Islamic laws and codes of conduct
“It wasn’t a nice feeling. I wasn’t myself. Normally I’m a very nice guy.’
Aceh operates under a sharia-based legal system and alcohol consumption is prohibited.
Police allege he had been drinking vodka in his hotel room at the Moon Beach Resort when he emerged naked just after midnight last Thursday.
Simeulue Police Chief Senior Commissioner Jatmiko claimed Mr Risby-Jones punched a guard in the neck, causing him to fall to the floor as he left the hotel.
He then allegedly hit passing motorcyclists in the street, knocking a man to the ground where his bicycle fell on top of him, causing serious leg injuries.
Angry locals then chased him to the beach where they detained him and tied his arms while the police were called.
The fisherman who was attacked required 50 stitches.
Australian Brian Willy lived on Simeulue Island for eight years and witnessed a public flogging
Mr Willy said that while living on the island in 2000, he witnessed a public flogging, a fate that could have in store for Mr Risby-Jones, who may face 40 lashes with a heavy stick.
“It was a couple who had committed adultery and all the locals were there, even children,” said Mr Willy, recalling the spectacle.
“They all cheered the guy with his big stick and said ‘yeah, hit her, hit her’ and I just thought ‘that’s so barbaric,’ you know.
“It disgusted me and I had to walk away.”