Drugs in Bali: Let the Bribes Begin

Bank Indonesia 100 Rupiah 1958

That didn't take long. Today it was reported in the Australian media that somebody claiming connection with the Balinese police could intervene in the drug case of Michelle Leslie (aka "Michelle the Muslim") for a monetary donation. Might just be some jokester, but also might be just the tip of the iceberg.

At least it's reassuring that the investigation into the possible bribe solicitation will be conducted by.........the Indonesian police. That should clear up matters fairly quickly. Sort of like the Indonesian human rights activist who was poisoned on his flight to Europe. The pilot is now on trial.

Bali bribe claim to be probed
Sydney Morning Herald
Mark Forbes
September 2, 2005

Indonesian police are investigating demands for large bribes in return for the freedom of the Australian model Michelle Leslie.

Bali's police chief, Mangku Pastika, confirmed yesterday that a man claiming to be his assistant was taped soliciting payments.

The taped phone call was made to an Australian Government official in Bali. A Department of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said last night that a man claiming to be a senior Bali policeman had approached an Australian official with a "proposal for Michelle Leslie's case be be dealt with outside the court system in return for a sum of money".

The approach was reported to Brigadier Pastika that day, the official said.

The brigadier denied the man caught on the tape was his assistant but would not say whether other officers were targets of the police investigation.

He confirmed hearing of offers of hundreds of thousands of dollars to deliver negative laboratory ecstasy test results for Leslie.

"I am now telling people it won't work," he said. No one had approached Bali police to offer a bribe in the Leslie case, he said. But sources close to the investigation told the Herald an offer of more than $100,000 for negative drug tests had initially been discussed, but rejected by authorities in Bali.

Leslie's Australian lawyer, Ross Hill, said that "no offer to assist, other than in a lawful manner, has been made to us or by us. Any suggestion to the contrary is inflammatory and highly offensive to all those involved."

Bali Bribe Link