Russian Man Caught at Bali Airport After Robbery of Ukrainian Tourist

Russian Man Caught at Bali Airport After Robbery of Ukrainian Tourist


A 30-year-old Russian national, identified as KA, was arrested at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport while trying to flee to Dubai. KA is suspected of being part of a group that carried out a violent armed robbery against a Ukrainian tourist in Bali.

Kombes Ariasandy, the Bali Police Public Relations Chief, confirmed the arrest, noting that KA is one of nine suspects tied to the case.

“That’s correct. One of the nine individuals named by the victim was detained at Ngurah Rai Airport last night at 7:00 PM WITA,” Ariasandy said on Friday, January 31.

Police believe KA was attempting to leave the country. “He was about to board a flight to Dubai,” Ariasandy added.

KA was taken into custody without any issues and is now being held at the Bali Police Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum) for further questioning. Authorities are still on the lookout for the eight other suspects involved in the robbery.

Ukrainian Tourist Targeted in Shocking Bali Robbery

The robbery took place on Sunday, January 15, when the Ukrainian tourist was driving a white BMW toward a villa near Jalan Tundun Penyu Dipal, Unggasan, South Kuta, Bali.

Out of nowhere, two black Toyota Alphard vehicles blocked the victim’s car from the front and back. Four masked men, all dressed in black and armed with knives, hammers, and a gun, forced their way into the car and attacked the victim.

The assailants then kidnapped the Ukrainian tourist and his driver, taking them to a villa in Jimbaran, South Kuta. There, they took the victim’s phone and forced him to transfer cryptocurrency worth IDR 3.4 billion (around USD 220,000) to an account linked to the criminals.

The victim eventually escaped and reported the incident to Bali police. He suffered injuries to his right ear, both wrists, left hand, the back of his head, and right waist during the attack.

Bali Police Ramp Up Search for Remaining Suspects

With KA now in custody, Bali authorities are stepping up efforts to track down the eight remaining suspects. The incident has raised serious concerns about tourist safety in Bali, prompting calls for tighter security measures to prevent similar crimes in the future.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Bali police as soon as possible. (BT)