Belarusian National Questioned by Bali Immigration Over Alleged Removal of Indonesians From WhatsApp Group

A Belarusian national living in Amed, Karangasem Regency, is being questioned by the Singaraja Class II Immigration Office after allegations that he removed Indonesian citizens from a local WhatsApp community group. Authorities are also examining whether his business activities, including garage sales, comply with permit and tax regulations.

A Belarusian national based in Amed, Karangasem Regency, identified in immigration documents as Siarhei Melnikau (also referred to online as Sergey Melnikov), is being questioned by the Singaraja Class II TPI Immigration Office over allegations that he removed all Indonesian phone number holders from the WhatsApp group "Garage Sales in Amed."

The allegations gained public attention after Italian content creator Christian Giacobbe shared the incident on Instagram, prompting widespread circulation on social media.

Bali's Regional Representative Council (DPD) member Ni Luh Djelantik publicly called for an investigation into both the alleged discriminatory conduct and the legality of the man's commercial activities, questioning how a foreigner obtains permits to run garage sales and who pays the associated taxes.

Singaraja Immigration Office head Anak Agung Gde Kusuma Putra confirmed the individual is being questioned and clarified that he holds Belarusian, not Russian, citizenship as initially reported. The investigation remains at an early stage, focusing on verifying claims circulating online and checking for possible immigration violations.

Things to Consider

Expats and long-term visitors in Bali should be aware that excluding members from local community social media groups based on nationality can be viewed as discriminatory conduct and may trigger scrutiny from immigration authorities. Those engaging in commercial activities such as garage sales or personal selling should confirm they hold the appropriate permits and are meeting tax obligations, and should not exceed the scope of activities allowed under their visa or KITAS/KITAP status—tourist visas do not permit commercial or income-generating activity. Given how quickly social media allegations can prompt immigration investigations, community group administrators should maintain transparent, non-discriminatory rules and keep records of moderation decisions.