Denpasar Police Chief Denies Confiscating Phone from Assault Suspect Claiming to Be Journalist

A viral video on social media alleged that the Denpasar Police Chief had confiscated a mobile phone from a person claiming to be a journalist with the initials FVK (39). Kapolresta Denpasar, Kombes Leonardo David Simatupang, has denied the accusation. “There was no confiscation of a journalist’s phone. What happened was that the reported party and the reporting party were in a tense standoff, recording each other,” Leonardo said when met at the Denpasar Police Headquarters on Monday (13/7/2026). Leonardo explained that the man, FVK (39), is a reported party in a suspected assault and threat case that was being investigated at the Kuta Police Sector on Saturday night (11/7/2026). During the examination, FVK and his friend allegedly attempted to record and make viral the process while officers were seeking clarification. Consequently, Leonardo, who was at the location at the time, asked FVK to place his phone on the table. This request was made to speed up the investigation, given that it was already 2.00 a.m. WITA on Sunday (12/7/2026). He also added that the reported individual could not show his assignment letter despite claiming to be a journalist from Depok. “He said he was on holiday (in Bali), but he also claimed to be doing coverage; however, when I asked for his assignment letter, he didn’t have one,” Leonardo added. The detention of FVK is related to an assault report filed by the victim, Aji Amil Arief Yusman (36), at a hotel in Legian, Kuta, Badung Regency. The incident occurred when FVK approached the victim, who he said resembled a celebrity. However, the conversation escalated into an argument between the two. The reported party briefly returned to his hotel room and came out carrying a broken glass bottle and wearing brass knuckles. Following an examination, FVK was found to still be under the influence of alcohol during the incident. Police also stated that he had used a strong sedative drug of the benzodiazepine type. Based on the results of the investigation, Leonardo stated that the case has been transferred to the Bali Regional Police (Polda) for handling. “The case has been transferred to the Regional Police because it involves media from outside the area,” he concluded.