Bali Police have confirmed the arrest of twelve security guards employed by Finns Beach Club in connection with a brawl with foreign tourists on Tuesday, 11th February.
Video footage of the violent altercation went viral online, and one Australian man has also been arrested in connection with the incident.
The Head of Public Relations of the Bali Police, Senior Commissioner Ariasandy, confirmed the latest details of the ongoing case to the media on Wednesday 19th February.
Bali Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate arrested a 28-year-old Australian man, known by his initials MR on Monday 17th February.
Twelve security personnel from Finns Beach Club in Canggu, including the Head of Security, 53-year-old INM, have now been arrested by Bali Police.
Commissioner Ariasandy told reporters, “The report handled by the Bali Police Criminal Investigation Directorate has named MR as a suspect and detained him. On the other hand, the report of this group of foreigners at the Badung Police has examined dozens of witnesses and after a case conference, 12 security guards have been named as suspects.”
He added, “They were named as suspects, meaning the evidence is clear. There are witnesses and CCTV camera recordings. Of course, investigators are not only working on the viral video. The circulating video is a series of it. The viral video is the final part, and the hit happens outside. The beginning of the incident was actually inside.”
One of the key reasons why the twelve security guards were arrested is after the foreigners on the other side of the altercation created a police report and because the fight took place outside the venue rather than inside the jurisdiction of the security guard’s workplace.
Commissioner Ariasandy explained, “They were seen on CCTV and admitted to being involved in the fight. So, from the results of the CCTV footage investigation at Finns Beach Club Bali and the security statements, there was a procedural error in handling the guests.”
He confirmed “They made a procedural error. Because at the TKP (fight location) it was outside their domain as security.” Commissioner Ariasandy noted that the foreigners had apologized after being removed from the venue, but claimed that they were then abused further by the security officers.
Commissioner Ariasandy told reporters, “When the foreigner was secured, they still beat him. Tied up, still kicked and beaten. That’s what triggered the foreigner or his friend to get angry.”
The guards have been charged with Article 170 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code and now face a maximum penalty of 5 years and 6 months in prison.
Commissioner Ariasandy reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and that further updates will be issued in due course.
He shared “These are two different reports. Both reports are still running according to the procedures and evidence available. There is an Australian citizen who has been named a suspect and detained.”
He added, “Then the police report reported in Badung by a Foreign Citizen regarding the assault has been processed, and 12 security personnel were named as suspects.”
The incident has triggered a fresh round of dialogue in Bali around the impact of mass tourism, cultural respect, security, and law enforcement.
The viral video even caught the attention of the Indonesian Deputy Minister for Tourism, Ni Luh Puspa, who spoke to reporters about her commitment to helping develop stricter law enforcement across Bali’s top resorts.
The Minister shared “This has also become a concern for the minister, we at the center are also very worried about this, we want to immediately find a solution together with the center and the regions.”
She concluded, “This [kind of behavior] has entered the criminal realm, of course, we support the police including the local government, of course, the steps of law enforcement need to be strengthened again.”
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