Bali Police are investigating the alleged kidnapping, assault, and extortion of a 41-year-old Russian national identified by the initials AI, who was reportedly held captive for nearly 30 hours before being released in Jimbaran.
Bali Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Ariasandy confirmed that a joint team from the Bali Regional Police is conducting an intensive investigation into the case, which allegedly involved kidnapping, assault, and violent theft targeting the foreign national.
The incident reportedly took place in South Kuta District, Badung Regency, on Thursday, 2 July, at around 9.35 pm Central Indonesia Time (WITA).
According to police, the victim had just returned from Hedonist Restaurant and was on his way back to his villa in Pecatu Village when the incident occurred.
Ariasandy said the victim’s vehicle was intercepted by a black Nissan Serena before two masked suspects approached him.
“Based on the victim’s statement, for almost 30 hours he was intimidated, beaten, and kicked by the perpetrators,” Ariasandy said, as quoted by Antara.
The suspects allegedly restrained the victim’s hands with plastic cable ties, covered his head, and forced him into their vehicle before taking him to a building where he was allegedly held against his will.
Police believe the assault was carried out to force the victim to reveal the password to his cryptocurrency account.
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Suspects Allegedly Stole Mobile Phones to Access Crypto Accounts
Investigators said the suspects also stole the victim’s Xiaomi mobile phone during the abduction.
Police allege the suspects later used the key to the victim’s villa, which had been left on the dashboard of his motorcycle, to enter Villa Ukulele. Once inside, they reportedly took another mobile phone believed to have been used by the victim to access his cryptocurrency accounts.
After allegedly obtaining the information they were seeking, the suspects released the victim on Saturday, 4 July, at approximately 4.00 am in front of Udayana University Hospital in Jimbaran.
The victim immediately sought treatment at the hospital’s emergency department for injuries sustained during the incident.
Police said the case was initially handled as a missing person report before being upgraded to a criminal investigation involving allegations of kidnapping, assault, and violent theft.
Police Track Suspects Through CCTV and Mobile Phone Data
As part of the investigation, officers have questioned several witnesses and examined four separate locations linked to the case: Hedonist Restaurant, the alleged kidnapping site in Pecatu, Villa Ukulele, and the area outside Udayana University Hospital where the victim was released.
Investigators have also gathered CCTV footage and analysed mobile phone data from base transceiver stations (BTS) around the relevant locations in an effort to trace the suspects’ movements.
Ariasandy said investigators are still working to identify those responsible, including determining whether the suspects are Indonesian nationals or foreign citizens.
Police are also calculating the financial losses suffered by the victim, including any cryptocurrency assets that may have been taken during the incident.
The investigation is currently focused on tracing the movements of the black Nissan Serena believed to have been used during the alleged kidnapping.
“The case is still under investigation. We will provide further updates,” Ariasandy said.
Bali Police stated that all reports, including those involving foreign nationals, are being handled seriously and in accordance with applicable legal procedures as investigators continue efforts to identify and apprehend the suspects.
