25-1-2025 (BALI) Bali Police have arrested German national Andrej Frey, 53, the chief executive of PARQ Ubud, on charges of illegal land conversion following the closure of the controversial luxury resort development locally known as ‘Russian village’.
The arrest, announced during a press conference at Bali Police headquarters on Friday, comes days after authorities sealed the premises located on Jalan Sriwedari in Tegallalang, Ubud. Frey, who serves as director of multiple companies including PT PARQ Ubud Partners, PT Tomorrow Land Development Bali, and PT Alfa Management Bali, is accused of unlawfully converting protected agricultural land into commercial tourist facilities.
Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya, Bali’s Police Chief, said the investigation was initiated following public complaints filed in November 2024. The development, spanning approximately 1.8 hectares of protected rice fields, allegedly violated Indonesia’s agricultural protection laws.
“The suspect deliberately constructed villas, spa facilities, and livestock farms on protected agricultural land without obtaining the necessary permits,” Inspector General Adityajaya stated, flanked by senior police officials Roy HS Sihombing and Ariasandy.
The development breaches both Law Number 22 of 2019 concerning Sustainable Agricultural Cultivation Systems and Law Number 41 of 2009 regarding Protection of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land. The site was designated as a P1 food crop subzone, making its conversion for commercial purposes illegal.
Police have seized multiple pieces of evidence, including land certificates and lease agreements. If convicted, Frey faces charges under Article 109 in conjunction with Article 19 and Article 72 in conjunction with Article 44, specifically concerning prohibited land conversion.
The closure of PARQ Ubud on Monday sparked tension, with viral social media footage showing chaotic scenes as local authorities moved to seal the premises. I Ketut Pasek Lanang Sadia, Assistant for General Administration of Gianyar Regency, emphasised that the closure followed proper legal procedures and aligned with local regulations.
