Man Claiming to Be Journalist Named Suspect in Bali Hotel Assault Case

Bali Police have named a man with the initials FVK (39) as a suspect in a case of threats and assault. The man, who claimed to be a journalist, is now being handled by the Bali Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate.

“The case has been upgraded to the investigation stage and there is a suspect determination against the person concerned,” said Bali Police Public Relations Head, Commissioner Ariasandy, on Wednesday (15/7/2026).

Ariasandy stated that the suspect’s designation also refutes FVK’s claim that the Denpasar Police hindered his journalistic duties. Despite claiming to be a journalist, FVK was unable to show any press identification.

Although he has been named a suspect, FVK has not been detained. He is currently undergoing a health examination at the Bhayangkara Denpasar Hospital. The examination is suspected to be for assessing the suspect’s mental condition.

“The person concerned has not been detained, he is undergoing an examination at Bhayangkara Hospital,” Ariasandy added.

The case began when FVK was involved in an altercation that led to an assault at a hotel in Kuta, Badung, on Saturday (12/7/2026). The man from Jakarta was subsequently reported to the police and taken to the Kuta Police Station for questioning.

During the examination, FVK again became confrontational, claiming his mobile phone had been seized by Denpasar Police Chief, Commissioner Leonardo David Simatupang. However, this claim was denied by Leonardo, who said FVK had attempted to record the examination process and was merely asked to place his phone on the table.

Additionally, a urine test revealed that FVK had used the sedative benzodiazepine. “So, they were at the Kuta Police Station not in the context of journalistic duties, but because he was reported for threatening and assaulting a guest,” he added.