Bali Police Still Unraveling Case Involving Stolen Sacred Objects

Bali Police Still Unraveling Case Involving Stolen Sacred Objects

Made Arya Kencana | September 20, 2010

I Gusti Ngurah Sudiana, from the Hindu Dharma Association of Bali, left, and Bali Police spokesman I Gde Sugianyar, right, inspecting sacred Hindu objects allegedly stolen by a syndicate operating on the island. Six Balinese and an Italian have been arrested. (JG Photo/JP Christo)


 

Denpasar. Bali is known for sun, sand and five-star resorts. Apparently, you can now add to that list international syndicates dealing in stolen sacred objects.

Police on the island have already arrested six Balinese and one foreigner on charges of dealing in sacred objects thought to have been stolen from the hundreds of temples that dot Bali.

They have recovered hundreds of pieces believed to have been stolen, and have also contacted Interpol to help track down any objects that may have already been transported off the island.

Bali detective Adj. Comr. Benny Murjianto said on Monday that police had arrested five Balinese on charges of stealing the sacred objects.

They have been identified as I Komang Oka Sukaya, Gusti Putu Oka, Wayan Eka Putra, Komang Gede Pariana and I Gusti Komang Suardika.

Another Balinese, I Gusti Lanang Sidemen, and Italian national Roberto Gamba have been arrested on suspicion of buying the stolen items.

Benny said Gamba had planned to sell the sacred objects overseas. “We are still investigating where he planned to sell the sacred objects.”

He said the group had operated in Badung, Gianyar and Karangasem districts, and that police had received 29 reports of thefts involving sacred objects from these districts.

Police have recovered 23 sacred items, known as pratima, and hundreds of ritual objects made of silver. Gamba allegedly bought the objects for between Rp 250,000 and Rp 7 million ($30 to $780) each, depending on the age and design.

Police also seized one car, two motorcycles and two cellular phones from the suspects. “The police also confiscated Roberto’s laptop to try to track the trade network,” Benny said.

Meanwhile, an emotional Gamba, who was presented to the press with the other suspects, denied all of the charges. He said he had no idea the objects he bought were stolen.

“I did not know they were stolen goods, and I had no knowledge at all that they were also sacral objects. I only bought them from an art shop,” he said.

“I don’t understand why I am being arrested.” Ngurah Sudiana, head of the Bali chapter of the Hindu Dharma Indonesian Community, said the suspects deserved long jail sentences if convicted.

“The material losses are insubstantial compared to what the Hindu community feels over the theft of the pratimas by this gang,” Sudiana said.