BALINEWSID.COM, KUTA – An Algerian couple detained over a series of clothing thefts at two shopping malls in Bali have admitted to the crimes, offered to compensate the victims, and expressed hope of being deported after legal proceedings are completed.

The suspects, identified by their initials as MBC (35) and his wife LM (30), acknowledged stealing merchandise from two Adidas stores located at Beachwalk Shopping Center in Kuta and Mal Bali Galeria, according to their lawyer, Florentina, also known as Laura.

“Our clients admit they committed the thefts at both locations. They are willing to compensate the victims for all losses and hope the dispute can be resolved through mediation. They also hope to be deported afterward,” Laura told reporters at Kuta Police Station on Monday.

Laura said the couple allegedly stole nine pieces of clothing and three caps worth approximately Rp17 million (around US$1,040) from the Adidas outlet at Beachwalk Shopping Center. They also admitted taking five pieces of clothing and two caps valued at about Rp3 million (around US$185) from the Adidas store at Mal Bali Galeria, bringing the total reported loss to Rp20 million.

MBC is currently being held at Kuta Police Station, while LM is being detained at Kerobokan Women’s Correctional Facility together with the couple’s one-year-old child.

According to Laura, the request for mediation is based on humanitarian considerations, including MBC’s medical condition. She said her client suffers from a serious reproductive health problem, which she claimed worsened after he was allegedly assaulted during his arrest and questioning.

“The Professional Standards Division (Propam) has questioned both our client and our legal team regarding the alleged assault. MBC stated during the examination that he had indeed been beaten,” Laura said.

She also claimed that both suspects are experiencing severe psychological distress. MBC allegedly threatened to take his own life if medical examinations confirm he has suffered permanent disability, while LM reportedly attempted suicide because she could not cope with the legal process.

Laura further said the family had originally planned to travel to Malaysia to seek medical treatment for their child, who suffers from a heart condition, and had only stopped in Bali before the theft case occurred. She said the defense team has requested medical records from Algeria to support the claim.

The lawyer also denied reports that she had apologized to Kuta Police Chief Commissioner Laksmi Trisnadewi Wieryawan over her public statements alleging that her client had been assaulted.

“I never apologized. We merely conveyed what our client experienced and told us. The same information has already been provided during the Propam investigation,” she said.

Laura added that she and MBC were questioned by the Professional Standards Division of the Badung Police on July 4 regarding the alleged assault. During the interview, MBC recounted the events from the time of his arrest on June 6.

Meanwhile, Kuta Police Chief Commissioner Laksmi Trisnadewi Wieryawan confirmed that officers had been questioned by the Badung Police’s Professional Standards Division following the complaint filed over the alleged assault.

She also said MBC remains under the care of a urology specialist and emphasized that police have not intervened in any mediation efforts between the suspects and the victims.

“Since the beginning, Kuta Police have not intervened in any mediation process between the parties,” Laksmi said.

Laura said her legal team will continue assisting LM in obtaining psychiatric treatment as her mental condition continues to deteriorate. She added that LM remains fearful while in detention and has not yet been informed of her father’s death in Algeria in an effort to protect her psychological condition.

The criminal investigation into the alleged thefts and the internal police inquiry into the assault allegations are both ongoing.