A disciplinary hearing conducted by the Jembrana Police in Bali has declared two police officers guilty for extorting a Japanese man over a minor traffic violation last year. Their punishment includes several weeks of jail time.
Video footage of the extortion, wherein they asked the foreigner for IDR1 million (US$67.28), went viral last month, and prompted a formal apology from the Indonesian National Police (Polri).
Related — You’re on Camera: police officers filmed extorting Japanese tourist in Bali
“Yes, the two have been declared guilty after undergoing a disciplinary hearing,” Bali Police spokesman Syamsi said today, adding that they have been held in prison since Wednesday.
The footage showed the police officers fining the tourist for not turning on the headlights on his motorbike, whereby they ended up taking IDR900,000 from him. Under Indonesia’s 2009 Traffic Laws, motorbikes on the road must have their headlights turned on, both during the day and night. However, the tourist should have only been fined IDR100,000.
Syamsi said that the police officer who spoke most with the tourist, identified as IMW, had used the extorted money for his daily expenses. He has to undergo 28 days’ imprisonment, has been demoted, and relieved from his duties.
Meanwhile, the other police officer, identified as IPD, will be jailed for 21 days, demoted, and transferred to regular staff. He was found guilty as an accomplice to IMW.
