A 27-year-old Russian man, known by his initials IG, was sent back to his home country on Wednesday after causing a series of reckless driving incidents in Bali, including one in Canggu last November in which he hit an American woman with his car.
The decision to deport IG was based on a court ruling that confirmed his involvement in at least two road mishaps.
Reports say that IG arrived in Indonesia via Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Nov. 18, 2022 using a visitor visa. The day after, he got into an unfortunate traffic incident, hitting an American woman in the Batu Bolong area of Canggu.
Police said that IG took responsibility and escorted the injured woman to a local clinic. A week after the incident, the woman’s partner reportedly confronted IG, demanding compensation amounting to US$280,000 (IDR4.2 billion) in lieu of charges.
Being unable to pay, the victim reported IG to the authorities, which led to his arrest. Although he was summoned by police a week later for a thorough investigation, IG was not detained.
However, on Feb. 8, IG found himself in another incident, this time being the sole victim. A vehicle collision at the Padang Padang Beach of Uluwatu left IG with severe injuries, including a broken leg and arm. He was hospitalized for 10 days, being unconscious for three days during this period.
After being released from the hospital, IG faced legal charges that culminated in a six-month prison sentence over his reckless driving.
IG’s prison stint at Kerobokan Prison ended on Aug. 10, after which he was transferred to immigration’s detention facility.
Financed by IG himself, the deportation process saw him leaving through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport bound for Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport.
Under the scope of Indonesia’s Immigration Law, IG is facing either a maximum six-month ban from the country, extendable by another six months or even a lifelong ban if he is deemed to pose a threat to public security and order.
The Denpasar Immigration Detention Facility Head Babay Baenullah said in a public statement that the authorities will meticulously study the case before making further decisions on IG’s future travel to Indonesia.
