BaliMust read
Russian citizen kidnapped in South Kuta, forced to surrender crypto assets
Bali newsBali6 min read
A Russian citizen, identified by the initials AI 41, reported to Bali Police that he was kidnapped on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in South Kuta and held captive for 30 hours. During his captivity, he was allegedly assaulted and forced to surrender deposits held in his crypto asset accounts. The incident occurred around 9:35 pm when AI was stopped by assailants in a black Nissan Serena while riding his motorcycle on Jalan Uluwatu-Jalan Belimbing in Pecatu. He was handcuffed, had his head covered, and was taken to a two-story house. The perpetrators also stole his Xiaomi cellphone and used his villa keys, taken from his motorcycle, to enter his home and access a second phone to facilitate access to his crypto accounts. After 30 hours, AI was released on Jalan Prabu Udayana, near Udayana University Hospital, Jimbaran, where he sought medical treatment for injuries. Bali Police Chief Senior Commissioner Ariasandy confirmed the report and stated that an operational team is gathering evidence and clues, including analyzing digital evidence and CCTV footage. Police investigators have conducted crime scene investigations at four locations and interviewed witnesses. The vehicle used by the kidnappers has been identified as a black Nissan Serena. The police are investigating the case as kidnapping, physical assault, and armed robbery under the Indonesian criminal code KUHP. The amount of money lost from AI's crypto asset accounts has not been disclosed.
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