Kuta's police chief has denied police received a $25,000 bribe to secure the release of a group of Australian men apprehended after they hired strippers at a buck's night in Bali.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Twenty police officers were questioned over allegations marketing consultant Mark Ipaviz's buck's party was forced to pay a bribe to police of about $25,000 to avoid trumped-up charges and threats of a 10-year prison sentence.
Kuta Police Chief Deddy Juniartha produced a handwritten statement apparently signed by the group which apologised for what occurred and promised it would never happen again.
"Thank you for helping resolving a problem. I did not pay any to for police (sic)," the statement says.
The letter, which is signed by Darren Moore, Crystal M, Mark, Jase, Dale and Bryce, is -addressed to "chief of police Polsek Kute" and dated February 24, 2015.
Mr Deddy said he had only been police chief for five days when the incident occurred.
At the time the relationship between Indonesia and Australia was tense because Bali nine organisers Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were facing execution.
Police had been called to a cafe in Seminyak because of suspicions a party had hired strippers, Mr Deddy said, although they later found out the men had sought permission from the manager.
"When our officer arrived, they took everybody back to Kuta police station," Mr Deddy said.
"We questioned everybody and took their statement."
However Mr Deddy said everyone was released because strippers, who were also foreigners, were "not fully naked" and therefore no offence had been committed.
"They still had their bras and underwear on, so since it was not an offence, we released them," Mr Deddy said.
Mr Deddy confirmed that 20 police officers, including himself, had been questioned. He stressed the police had not paid or asked for a bribe.
"I have never ordered any of my men to ask for money. None of my officers asked for money."
He said the buck's party group had written and signed the statement voluntarily.
The investigation was ongoing into allegations various members of the group were pistol whipped and shocked with taser guns by private security guards.
The police were also investigating allegations a female translator told the men they could pay a fine to prevent serious indecency charges that carried a 10-year prison sentence in Indonesia
"Propam (police internal affairs) is investigating the assault claims and the translator," Mr Deddy said. "We did use a translator at the time."
Fairfax Media is seeking comment from members of the buck's party.
