An Australian tourist accused of stealing a Gucci bag worth IDR12,282,500 (US$864) from the Duty Free Shop at Kuta’s Mall Bali Galleria in January appeared at the Denpasar District Court yesterday.
The hearing concluded with the Badung prosecutor demanding a five-month prison sentence for the defendant, 42-year old Bilal Kalache, a far lighter demand than the maximum possible sentence of five years.
Among the mitigating factors, the prosecutor listed the defendant’s admittal and regret towards the act as well as his position as family provider.
In response to the demand, the Lebanese-born father of five immediately requested relief.
“I regret your honor, and beg for a sentence of relief,” said Kalache, who was not accompanied by a lawyer, as quoted by Jawa Pos.
Kalache was arrested on suspicion of thieving the Gucci cream sling bag at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai airport on January 10, just before boarding a flight home to Sydney. At the time, he told police that he had had no intention of stealing the bag; he had simply forgotten to pay for it in his rush to get to the airport.
Kalache’s trial will continue next week.
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