The red Soviet hammer and sickle flag was reportedly raised up by a Russian man in Pererenan, Bali, only to be quickly taken down by police, members of the military, and local neighborhood officials. (Why it took so many people to take down a single flag is beyond us.)
Russian national Maslennikov Dmitri, 49, claims he had no idea that there would be a problem with him flying the communist flag—an action that is prohibited according to head of Bali Police PR for Bali Police, Hery Wiyanto.
The Russian reportedly told police during their investigation that he only flew the flag to “determine the direction of the wind.” He also told police that he had previously been using an Indonesian flag, but it became torn so he instead used this flag, which another Russian friend had given him.
The man has reportedly lived in Bali for more than six years and works as a surfing instructor on the island, Boy Jumalolo of Badung Police told Tribun Bali. Which is why Dmitri claims he needed to check the wind direction for an indication of surfing conditions.
Dmitri apparently could be charged with Article 106 Criminal Code concerning acts of treason—this is punishable by life imprisonment, reports Tribun Bali.
Meanwhile, Wiyanto told Tribun Bali on Wednesday that Badung Police is handling the case and he was waiting for more developments from the police station.
The local newspaper also (somewhat comically) noted that following this incident, police have been reminded to remain vigilant so a similar incident does not occur again.
Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images
