13 Foreign Nationals Arrested for Involvement in Prostitution in Bali
A total of 13 foreign nationals were arrested during a joint operation by Bali Immigration and the Bali Regional Police regarding alleged illegal prostitution practices. The dozen-plus foreigners were secured from three locations in Badung Regency, namely Umalas, Seminyak, and Canggu.
The Joint Foreign National Supervision Operation was conducted on Thursday night (17/09/2026). Of the 13 foreign nationals detained, 12 were women suspected of being commercial sex workers, while one man is suspected of acting as a provider of these services or a pimp.
“Based on the results of the joint operation, the team successfully secured 13 individuals,” stated the Head of the Bali Directorate General of Immigration, Ramdhani, during a press conference at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office on Friday (18/09/202<0xC2>6).
Of the three operational locations, officers apprehended the highest number of foreign nationals in Umalas. Eight women were detained from that location, consisting of four Nigerian nationals identified by the initials TA, GO, MOL, and HBO; three Russian nationals identified as DK, AG, and KS; and one Kazakhstani national identified as AS.
Meanwhile, during the operation in Seminyak, officers secured three Nigerian nationals identified as ECM, JFT, and HOU.
In Canggu, officers detained one Russian female identified as IP and one Ukrainian male identified as OG, who is suspected of being a service provider.
Based on investigations into each individual, IP and OG were found to hold Remote Worker KITAS and Investor KITAS residence permits, respectively. Meanwhile, the Russian national identified as KS holds a D12 Pre-Investment residence permit.
The other foreign nationals only hold Visit Residence Permits (ITK) or Visas on Arrival (VoA).
Currently, all the foreign nationals apprehended are being held in detention at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office detention centre. They are undergoing further investigation regarding the findings of the operation.
“At this time, the thirteen foreign nationals have been secured in the detainee room of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office and are undergoing further examination,” said the Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Muhamad Novyandri, during the same event.
In addition to detaining the 13 foreign nationals, officers also seized several pieces of evidence from each individual. The evidence includes mobile phones, cash, and contraceptives.
The foreign nationals face charges under Article 75 of Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration, as well as potential other criminal violations.