DENPASAR – Bali Police have officially named AF (53), a German national and director of PT Parq Ubud Partners, as a suspect in a case involving the illegal conversion of protected farmland. The move comes after authorities shut down the Parq Ubud complex, known as the “Russian Village,” at the end of 2024.

Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya revealed that AF had converted land designated as Sustainable Food Agriculture Land (LP2B) into villas, spas, and livestock areas without proper permits.

“These buildings were constructed in a P1 zone, which is legally designated for food crops and protected rice fields,” Daniel stated during a press conference on Friday (24/1).

The investigation began in October 2024 following public complaints. A probe by the Bali Police’s Special Crimes Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) uncovered 34 land ownership certificates tied to the project. Coordination with Gianyar’s Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency confirmed zoning violations, further supported by on-site inspections.

Findings revealed that the development spanned three zoning areas: P1 (protected rice fields and LP2B), P3 (plantation zone), and a tourism zone.

Authorities have secured various pieces of evidence, including land certificates, lease agreements, and notarized regulatory documents. Statements have also been taken from 28 witnesses, including local officials and academic experts.

“We also consulted experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Hindu Indonesia University, and Udayana University to strengthen the investigation,” Daniel added.

AF is now facing charges under Article 109 of Law No. 22 of 2019 on Sustainable Agricultural Cultivation Systems, as amended by the Job Creation Law, as well as Article 72 of Law No. 41 of 2009 on Sustainable Food Agriculture Land Protection. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a Rp 1 billion fine.

Daniel stressed that illegal land conversion not only violates the law but also threatens Bali’s food security. “If agricultural land continues to shrink, self-sufficiency in food production will be at risk, endangering future generations,” he warned.

Parq Ubud first opened as a café and bar in 2020 before expanding into a 103-room hotel in 2023. The 12-hectare site also includes apartments, restaurants, coworking spaces, a spa, and other facilities, with plans to expand to 500 rooms in the near future.