Russian Citizen Faces Trial for Marijuana Cultivation at Bali Court

During the indictment hearing at the Denpasar District Court on Tuesday (Feb. 24), Public Prosecutor I Made Lovi Pusnawan charged Varlamova under multiple provisions of Indonesia’s Narcotics Law and Criminal Code, with a potential life sentence if convicted.

The prosecutor alleged that Varlamova conspired to commit narcotics offenses by illegally planting, maintaining, possessing, storing, or controlling Class I narcotics in plant form exceeding one kilogram or more than five plants.

She was arrested by Bali Regional Police on Oct. 1, 2025, at her residence in Ubung Kaja.

Investigators said she was aware of her husband Nirul Rashim’s activities—he faces trial separately—and had photographed marijuana seedlings inside a hydroponic tent but failed to report them to authorities.

Evidence seized included marijuana seeds, dried leaves, and fresh leaves, totaling 278.2 grams gross (130.06 grams net).

Police also confiscated 14 live marijuana plants, ranging from 15 to 100 cm in height, and 91 seedlings. Forensic tests confirmed all evidence as marijuana, classified as a Schedule I narcotic under Indonesian law.

Translator: Rolandus Nampu, Resinta Sulistiyandari