Inp.polri.go.id - Denpasar. Bali Regional Police have released a Russian citizen  Khasan Askhabov (30) after finding no evidence of his involvement in the kidnapping and cryptocurrency robbery of Ukrainian citizen Igor Lermakov.

Bali Police Head of Public Relations Senior Superintendent Ariasandy confirmed Saturday (1/1/2025) that Askhabov, detained on Thursday, was not among the nine suspects being hunted down by the police. 

"He was in Dubai when the incident occurred," he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Askhabov’s lawyer, Edward Pangkahila, said that his client was not in Bali at the time. When confronted, the victim also said he had never met Askhabov before.

With supporting evidence clearing his name, Askhabov was released and continued his journey to Dubai.

He had been detained by Bali Police and Immigration officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport on suspicion of being part of the gang responsible for Lermakov’s abduction and robbery.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)