APSN | 7 Balinese police confess to extorting Australian buck's night partygoers

Home > South-East Asia >> Indonesia

7 Balinese police confess to extorting Australian buck's night partygoers

Sydney Morning Herald - September 2, 2015

Police use violence when interrogating suspects: Kontras – Jakarta Post. August 25, 2015
Pressure mounts for Joko to fire police's 'vengeful' Waseso – Jakarta Globe. July 16, 2015
Budi Waseso represents vindictive, vengeful police force: Coalition – Jakarta Post. July 16, 2015
Criminalizing criticism – Jakarta Post Editorial. July 14, 2015
National police allow hijab for female officers – Jakarta Post. March 27, 2015

Denpasar – Seven Balinese police officers will go on trial for extortion after an investigation confirmed they received a bribe from a group of Australians apprehended after hiring strippers at a buck's night in Seminyak.

Bali Deputy Police Chief Nyoman Suryasta said firm action would be taken against the officers, who had "damaged the name of Indonesian police, especially Bali police". He said the punishment for breaking the professional ethics code ranged from being sacked to an apology, and would be decided by the trial judge.

The revelation came just a day after Kuta Police Chief Deddy Januartha denied any of his officers had asked for money. He produced a handwritten statement, apparently signed by the buck's night party, that apologised for the men's actions and said "I did not pay any to for police (sic)".

Fairfax Media reported in June that 16 Australians were apprehended by police after they hired strippers at the February buck's weekend of marketing consultant and former model, Mark Ipaviz in Bali.

Various members of the group were allegedly pistol whipped and shocked with taser guns by private security guards and then forced to pay a bribe of about $25,000 to avoid trumped-up charges and threats of a 10-year prison sentence.

The group included prominent nightclub owner Nick Russian, several former models, celebrity hairdresser Joey Scandizzo, and other friends such as Simon Phan and Dan Beckwith.

Mr Nyoman said the allegations were investigated after the Indonesian Embassy in Australia reported strong reaction on social media to the Fairfax story in June. He said a team from the intelligence and crime departments and Propam (internal affairs) had led the investigation.

"We investigated and we confirmed it's true, it really happened, there were facts," Mr Nyoman said. "We have reported this to the Indonesian Police Chief. We will take firm action."

He said the seven officers had admitted wrongdoing. They said the bribe was less than $25,000 but "clearly they have broken the ethical profession code". "It's more than just breaking the disciplinary code, it's the professional ethical code."

Mr Nyoman said the Kuta Police Chief had been questioned as a witness but the information thus far suggested he had not been involved. However he said the investigation was ongoing. Fairfax Media is seeking comment from members of the buck's party.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/seven-balinese-police-confess-to-extorting-australian-bucks-night-partygoers-20150902-gjd31k.html.