DENPASAR, Bali – Two Russian nationals are on trial in Bali for allegedly committing assault and attempted extortion against a fellow foreigner in Jimbaran, Badung. The case adds to the growing list of Russians on trial in Bali, underscoring a rise in legal troubles involving foreign nationals on the island.

This time, two Russians—Shkutov Ilia (32) and Vitchenko Iurii (30)—faced trial at the Denpasar District Court on Tuesday (Nov 4) for alleged assault and attempted extortion against another foreign national in the Jimbaran area of Badung.

During the attack, both men reportedly wore tactical, military-style clothing. They assaulted a man who turned out to be the wrong target.

The case was detailed in the indictment presented by prosecutors Ni Luh Wayan Adhi Antari and Ida Kade Widiatmika from the Bali High Prosecutor’s Office.

“The two defendants lived in the Kerobokan area with another Russian national named George Golota, who is currently at large,” prosecutor Adhi explained.

According to the indictment, the incident occurred on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, around 11:30 p.m., at Sakura I Housing Complex, Block E No. 10, Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung.

It all began with a WhatsApp conversation between witness Ezmail and George Golota, who claimed he was collecting investment money on behalf of a Russian woman named Elena.

George alleged that Elena had been scammed by Rustem Syrtlanov in a property investment worth Rp 1.5 billion, with Rp 820 million still unpaid. He then enlisted Shkutov Ilia to “deal with” Rustem by intimidating him.

To locate their target, the group sought Rustem’s address in Jimbaran.

At around 9 p.m., Vitchenko Iurii arrived first on a black Yamaha XMAX without a license plate, wearing military-style gear and a skull-pattern mask. He entered the unlocked house.

Shortly after, Shkutov Ilia arrived on a gray-black NMAX, also unplated and dressed in similar tactical attire. Both men waited for Rustem to return.

An hour later, however, a different Russian man—Roman Smeliov—arrived, as he was the one actually renting the house.

When Roman noticed the living room lights on, he was startled and confronted Ilia, leading to a fight. “Bleeding from his nose, the victim shouted, ‘You’ve got the wrong man!’” the prosecutor recounted.

Despite realizing their mistake, both defendants continued the assault briefly before tending to the victim’s wound and fleeing. They later disposed of their clothing, masks, and gloves in a garbage bin in Jimbaran.

Roman Smeliov subsequently filed a police report with the Bali Regional Police.

The defendants are charged under Article 368(1) in conjunction with Article 53(1) and Article 55(1) of the Indonesian Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.

Alternatively, they face Article 170(1) (up to 5.5 years) or Article 351(1) (two years and eight months).