An Australian suspect has denied allegations that he stole a handbag, saying that he only "forgot" to pay before leaving the shop.
An Australian national identified only as BK, 42, has been arrested for allegedly stealing a Gucci bag at a duty-free store in Bali.
He faces up to five years’ imprisonment with Badung prosecutors having charged him on Thursday under Article 362 of the Criminal Code on theft.
The suspect, who is being held at Kerobokan prison, appeared for the first time at the Denpasar District Court on Thursday. The first trial heard the prosecutors’ indictment as well as testimonies of some witnesses.
“The defendant took something that was owned by another person,” prosecutor I Made Gde Bamaxs Wira Wibowo said.
Bamaxs added that the defendant took one Gucci bag that was on display at the store. “The defendant wore it on his shoulder. Later, he left the shop without paying for the bag,” Bamaxs said.
The session also heard testimonies from four witnesses, including the shop employees.
BK denied the allegations, saying that he merely forgot to pay for the bag when he stepped out from the store. “I was going to pay for it at the airport,” he said.
He was arrested at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Jan. 10, several hours after he allegedly stole the bag. He was arrested as he was taking his son to the airport for a Sydney-bound flight. (swd)
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