German tourist arrested in Bali after slapping woman, damaging villa

A German citizen has been arrested on the Indonesian resort island of Bali after a string of assaults and property damage, fuelled by depression over family turmoil back home, police said.

Police said the suspect, 37, has been in Bali for the past seven months seeking solace from his parents’ divorce and his father’s subsequent death.

He is accused of slapping a motorcyclist on June 12, causing minor injuries to the woman. He reportedly later vandalised a villa in the popular resort area of Kuta on Saturday, where he also allegedly threatened an employee with a knife.

“He’s admitted to being depressed due to his parents’ divorce and his father’s passing,” Kuta police chief I Ketut Agus Pasek Sudina told reporters. “We plan to conduct a psychological evaluation and further investigation.”

Ketut said the German had also shoplifted a drink from a mini market before these incidents. He also resisted arrest, throwing stones at officers before being subdued, he said.

Police said the man is facing charges of assault, property damage, and making threats, offences punishable up to 10 years in prison under Indonesian law.