REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DENPASAR -- The Bali Regional Police are searching for a Russian national believed to be the mastermind behind the assault and robbery of a Lithuanian citizen, Roman Smeliov (42). Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya confirmed on Friday that a fugitive identified by the initials GG is the primary suspect.
GG allegedly orchestrated the crime with four others who have been arrested: two Russian citizens, Iurii Vithcenko (30) and Ilia Shkutov (32), along with two Bali Immigration officers, Ernest Esmail and Yopita Barinda Putri.
According to the police chief, the group meticulously planned the crime between January and July 2025, with a broader goal of targeting foreign nationals. Their scheme was set in motion when GG contacted Esmail to find a different Russian citizen, "Mr. R," who GG claimed owed him Rp2.3 billion (around US$143,750).
GG initially paid Esmail Rp3 million (about US$187.50) and promised to split the Rp2.3 billion once recovered. Ultimately, they mistakenly assaulted Smeliov, who was not their intended target.
However, after the group assaulted Smeliov, the police arrested the four accomplices, while GG fled. The investigation is ongoing, and the police continue to pursue GG.
Authorities also suspect the Russian nationals are involved in several other crimes, including kidnapping, assault, drug trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering through cryptocurrency.
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