Australian police charge Indonesian man who forced son, 8, to eat chili with torture

BRISBANE, Australia—An Indonesian man who allegedly whipped his eight-year-old son with an electrical cable and forced him to eat a hot chili was shocked to discover such discipline is illegal in Australia, a Brisbane court has been told.

The man, 32, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his son, faced a court in Brisbane in Monday on charges of torture and assault occasioning bodily harm.

It was alleged the abuse was reported by the child to a teacher at school.

During the brief mention, the court was told the man chose not to apply for bail because he feared being put in a detention center for would-be immigrants if released, News.com.au reported.

The man is a recent immigrant and therefore likely to be detained by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship in Sydney if he were to be released by the court.

His visa to stay in Australia had also been canceled since his arrest last month.

According to the Australian Associated Press, the court-appointed attorney Nick Hanly said the alleged offense was the result of a "cultural clash."

His method of discipline was "culturally not against the law in Indonesia," the lawyer said.

The man was remanded in custody until June 24, when he’ll appear via video link for another mention.