Recent data from Bali Police (Polda Bali) and Liputan6.com reveal a detailed picture of legal incidents involving foreign nationals (WNA) in Bali during the period 1 January – 21 June 2025. During this period, 108 cases involved foreigners as perpetrators, representing 1.7% of all criminal accidents reported. Meanwhile, 176 cases involved foreigners aws victims, amounting to 3.03% of all victim reports.
Bali Crime: Breakdown of Offence Types (Perpetrators)
- Conventional crimes (e.g., assault, theft): 58 cases
- Transnational crimes (e.g., fraud, document forgery): 49 cases
- Crimes against state property: 1 case
Liputan6 reports that among the offences involving WNA as perpetrators:
- Assault and fraud were the most common conventional and transnational crimes.
- Narcotics offences accounted for 47 cases, drawing significant law-enforcement attention.
Nationalities Most Frequently Involved
Australians, Americans, Russians, Spain, and British nationals were among the most frequently involved as perpetrators in these legal incidents. On the other side, foreigners most often reported as victims of crime were from Australia, India, and Russia. This overlap shows that foreign nationals in Bali are not only being held accountable for violations but are also vulnerable to crimes themselves.
As mentioned on Liputan6: “Then, in terms of victims, the majority were from Australia, followed by India in second, and Russia in third,” explained Head of Operations at Bali Police, Commissioner Soelistijono, during a meeting at the Bali Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on Monday (June 23, 2025).
Bali Crime: Traffic Violations
In addition to criminal offences, Polda Bali recorded 33 traffic violations by foreign nationals, predominantly involving:
- Failure to wear helmets
- Riding unregistered vehicles
- Main offenders: Russia, France, United Kingdom
Immigration Deportations
During the same period, Bali’s immigration authorities carried out 215 administrative deportations involving foreign nationals. Russian citizens made up the largest share, with 48 deported, followed by 23 from the United States, 13 from Australia, 12 from Ukraine, and 8 from India. These deportations were tied to a variety of administrative and legal violations, reinforcing the province’s growing emphasis on stricter monitoring and enforcement of immigration laws.
While foreign nationals constitute a small fraction of total incidents, the concentration of cases among Australians and Russians underscores the need for greater legal awareness, community engagement, and proactive liaison by foreign consulates to remind their citizens of Bali’s unique regulations.
By understanding these patterns and complying with local regulations, Bali’s expat community can take informed steps to ensure compliance, foster positive relations, and uphold the island’s safety and harmony.
Sources: Liputan6, Tirto.id. Featured Image.
