Algerian National Alleges Abuse by Bali Police, Lawyer Reveals Victim's Condition

An Algerian national, identified as MBC, claims he was assaulted by approximately 10 police officers from the Kuta Police Station in Bali after being accused of theft at two locations: Bali Mall Galeria (MBG) and Beachwalk Shopping Center.

His legal representative, Florentina, also known as Laura, explained that her client has been detained since 6 June 2026. “MBC told us that around 10 officers beat him because he committed theft at two locations. As a result of the alleged abuse, his genitals are painful and one testicle has shrunk, causing him extreme pain,” she said.

“We have taken the victim to the hospital and he is currently being diagnosed by a urologist to determine whether his genitals are still normal and functioning. He has also threatened to commit suicide if his organ no longer functions,” she added. The urological diagnosis will be conducted over the next seven days to assess function and whether further medical procedures, such as surgery, are required.

Florentina stated that MBC was beaten because he did not confess to the theft and refused to disclose his address during questioning. “He was also allegedly threatened with a weapon pointed at his genitals,” she told reporters.

According to Laura, not only MBC is being detained, but also his wife and their one-year-old child, who are currently being held at the Kerobokan Women’s Penitentiary. The wife’s father in Algeria reportedly died suddenly upon hearing that his daughter and grandchild had been detained by Indonesian police.

“The one-year-old child has a heart condition, and we have obtained medical evidence of this illness. The wife, who is currently in detention, also attempted suicide by stabbing a needle into a vein in her wrist but was saved,” she said. The wife has not yet been informed of her father’s death. “We are concerned that telling her will worsen her mental state,” Laura added.

Florentina emphasised that her team continues to uphold the principle of presumption of innocence and is being cautious in presenting these allegations, as they have not yet obtained all the evidence to corroborate their client’s account. “Our client claims to know who the alleged perpetrators are, but we do not want to speculate before everything is proven,” she said.

She explained that an initial medical examination found MBC’s testicle had shrunk, but acknowledged that her client had a history of injury to that area from a beating in 2019. He had not complained of pain for several years, but the pain returned and intensified about 10 days after his arrest on 6 June. “The initial treatment provided was antibiotics and painkillers. To confirm whether there is further injury, the doctor requested a seven-day observation period before conducting further examinations,” she explained.

MBC has reportedly admitted to the theft and is willing to pay compensation, but this has not yet been accommodated by MBG or Beachwalk. His wife denies any involvement in stealing the items, which included caps and shirts. She has nonetheless been named a suspect in the same case and is being held at Kerobokan Prison. “Mentally, her condition is very distressed. The child is only being placed with the mother because of their young age and is not involved in the legal case,” Laura said.

Regarding the main case, Florentina explained that MBC and his wife are suspected of stealing branded Adidas products from two locations in the Kuta area. The alleged theft at Beachwalk Shopping Center involved six pieces of clothing and three caps, while at MBG it involved three pieces of clothing and two caps. She noted that the investigation appears to be based on CCTV footage, but her team has not yet received a complete copy of the official investigation report to review all the evidence.

When contacted, Kuta Police Chief Kompol Laksmi Trisnadewi Wieryawan stated that a complete report on MBC’s medical examination results is still being compiled. She said official information would be delivered through the Public Relations Section of the Denpasar Police.