Deadly gang riot breaks out at Bali’s Kerobokan prison where Australians are held
AUSTRALIAN inmates are safe after a deadly riot between warring gangs wielding machetes and swords broke out at Bali’s Kerobokan prison.
BALI jail authorities have moved swiftly to quell further unrest at Kerobokan prison, moving more than 100 prisoners to other jails after a riot between warring gangs left four people dead, including two prisoners.
Last night 100 prisoners were shipped out to jails across Bali, including to a new narcotics prison.
And Bali police questioned how so many dangerous weapons, such as spears, machetes, knives and homemade weapons came to be inside the prison.
Six garbage bins of weapons, two large packages of methamphetamine, a type of bulletproof vest and a laptop computer were seized during raids on the cell blocks after the deadly riot.
Australians in the notorious jail, including three members of the Bali Nine, were last night understood to all be safe and were not involved in the clash.
The riot squad was called to the prison after members of one of Bali’s most notorious enforcer gangs turned up to the jail, armed with machetes and knives and samurai swords demanding to get in after hearing of a fight inside between two of the men’s blocks.
Sources said the fight was between the Laskar Bali gang and its rival, Baladika gang.
Laskar Bali members were demanding to get inside to see their family members.
Deputy Bali Police Chief, Nyoman Suryasta, said: “You can see by yourself. There are many sharp weapons such as spears and others.”
Asked how so many dangerous weapons came to be inside a high-security jail, Mr Suryasta said: “Ask the prison authority how all those sharp weapons could be in there.”
He said 10 people had been arrested over the riot which began with a small dispute between the two gangs and escalated into full-scale violence.
And the Correctional Division head of Bali’s Justice and Human Rights Ministry, Nyoman Purtra Surya Atmaja, vowed a full investigation would begin today into the deadly clash and serious questions would be asked including how and why visitors were allowed into the cell block area.
A Baladika member, I Putu Sumariana, alias Robot, died from an open wound to his stomach.
He was in jail serving time for murder.
Another prisoner, a Baladika member, Putu Sumarjaya alias Dogler, was also stabbed and died in hospital.
He was serving time on drugs charges.
AUSTRALIAN PRISONERS AT KEROBOKAN JAIL
Si Yi Chen, NSW: Was arrested in 2005 for drug trafficking and is serving life imprisonment.
Michael Czugaj, QLD: Was arrested in 2005 for drug trafficking and is serving life imprisonment.
Matthew Norman, NSW: Was arrested in 2005 for drug trafficking and is serving life imprisonment.
Joshua Terelinck, WA: Was arrested for dangerous driving after a July motorcycle crash killed a local man. He is serving two months and 15 days jail.
Nicholas Langan, QLD: Was arrested in January for drug consumption and has been jailed for a year.