Australian, 59, detained over alleged Bali airport assault on British tourist

Denpasar — — Police at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport have detained a 59-year-old Australian man, identified by the initials PDH, over an alleged assault on a 58-year-old British tourist at an airport restaurant in the international departures terminal in January 2026, according to Bali police and national police communications.

The incident occurred at around 11:30 p.m. WITA on Sunday, 18 January 2026, at the TRS restaurant in the international departures area of the airport, according to a statement from the airport area police public relations unit and a report by Detik’s Bali bureau.

The alleged victim, a British national identified as MW, was waiting for his flight when PDH allegedly approached him, pushed him so that his body hit a wall, and then struck the back-right side of his head once with a clenched right hand, police said.

Police said the two men had a brief interaction before the alleged blow, including a request from PDH that MW remove his glasses, according to the airport police account. Authorities have not publicly detailed what led to the confrontation.

MW later reported the incident to investigators at the airport police precinct. According to police, at least two witnesses at the restaurant supported the account that PDH struck the victim, and their statements were taken as part of the investigation.

Victim examined as investigators gather evidence

Police said MW complained of dizziness following the incident and told investigators that the assault disrupted his normal activities. He was taken to a hospital for a medical examination, according to the airport police statement, which did not disclose the medical findings or whether he required further treatment.

Investigators from the airport area police have questioned MW, the witnesses and PDH. They also inspected the scene at the TRS restaurant, reviewed closed-circuit television footage and seized travel documents as evidence, according to the police account.

Police said the provisional motive may have been personal offence or irritation between the two men. No further explanation of the alleged trigger has been released.

The airport police stated that PDH has been held at the detention facility of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Area Police. According to the police public relations statement, PDH’s detention began on 20 January 2026 and was authorised for 20 days to support further investigation.

The case is being handled under Article 466(1) of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code, which covers assault, according to the airport police. Authorities have not publicly clarified whether prosecutors have filed a formal indictment or whether the investigation has been completed.

Key details from police accounts

• Alleged incident: Sunday, 18 January 2026, approximately 11:30 p.m. WITA
• Location: TRS restaurant, international departures terminal, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport
• Reported impact on victim: dizziness and disruption to daily activities
• Suspect: Australian national PDH, aged 59, detained by airport area police
• Alleged victim: British national MW, aged 58, resident in West Denpasar

Airport police handling

The case is being investigated by the criminal investigation unit of the airport area police, according to the public relations officer cited in both the police communication and local media reporting.

Police say they are relying on witness testimony, CCTV recordings and travel documents as part of their evidence review. No public statements from PDH, MW or their legal representatives have been reported at this stage.

Sources

• Humas Polri – "Kasus Penganiayaan di Terminal Internasional Bandara Ngurah Rai, Satu WNA Ditahan"
• Detik Travel/Detik Bali – "WN Inggris dan Australia Berulah di Bandara Ngurah Rai, Polisi Bertindak"