13-1-2025 (BANDUNG) Local authorities have apprehended two Russian citizens in connection with an international human trafficking operation that allegedly used a website to facilitate prostitution services across the popular tourist destination.
The arrests took place on Friday in Banjar Anyar Kelod, North Kuta District, where police detained a 26-year-old female, identified only as AK, and a 31-year-old male, known as MT, following a lengthy investigation into the illegal enterprise.
Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya revealed during a press briefing at Badung Police Headquarters on Monday that the operation had been active for approximately two years. According to investigators, AK served as the primary controller for the Bali region, managing financial transactions and maintaining the website’s catalogue of sex workers.
“The female suspect handled all monetary distributions between the workers and her team, whilst maintaining administrative control of the website,” Inspector General Adityajaya stated. “She was responsible for vetting and registering new workers and managing client communications.”
The male suspect, MT, operated as the organisation’s manager, serving as the primary point of contact for clientele. The operation allegedly offered services from both Indonesian nationals and foreign sex workers, with authorities identifying one Russian national, known as EE or L, among the victims.
“Their website marketed women from various global locations, including several Indonesian cities,” the Police Chief added.
The breakthrough in the case came after extensive surveillance of the Russian expatriate community in Bali. Following intelligence gathering, authorities conducted a raid at approximately 03:22 local time in the Canggu area of North Kuta, where they discovered victim EE engaged in intimate relations with a Russian client.
The suspects face multiple charges under Indonesian law, including violations of the Electronic Information and Transactions Act, which carries a maximum six-year prison sentence and fines up to 1 billion rupiah. Additional charges under anti-trafficking legislation could result in sentences ranging from three to 15 years’ imprisonment, with fines between 120 million and 600 million rupiah.
Both suspects remain in custody at Badung Police Headquarters as the investigation continues.
