After being falsely arrested in connection with a high-profile kidnapping and extortion case of a Ukrainian in Bali, Russian national and former MMA fighter Khasan Askhabov has filed a countercharge against Ukrainian citizen Igor Lermakov, alleging that Lermakov provided false testimony that led to Askhabov’s wrongful arrest. [Details about the original incident, including the video, can be found here]
Askhabov was detained by Bali Police in January after being accused of involvement in the abduction and assault of Lermakov, a case that gained widespread attention after footage of the alleged incident went viral on social media. However, police later released Askhabov, citing a lack of evidence linking him to the crime.
Askhabov’s attorney, Apollos Djara Bonga, said his client was unfairly implicated and had no connection to Lermakov or the Russian gang accused of orchestrating the crime.
“This report concerns false accusations and misleading statements given to the police,” Apollos said at the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) in South Jakarta on 25 February.
Claims of False Accusation
“The report claims that on 15 December, my client committed violence and extortion against Igor. However, on that date, Khasan was still in Dubai,” Apollos said. “He only arrived in Indonesia on 15 January 2025, a full month after the incident.”
Apollos said the allegations caused material and moral damages to Askhabov, who was arrested upon arriving in Indonesia for a vacation.
“He came to Bali for leisure, yet he was suddenly detained without knowing the reason,” Apollos said. “This caused unnecessary distress, and now he is seeking legal accountability.”
The report against Lermakov has been formally registered. Askhabov is accusing Lermakov of defamation and providing false information to police, citing violations of Indonesia’s Criminal Code.
The Original Case
Lermakov had initially claimed he was kidnapped and assaulted by a group of Russian nationals in Bali. The attack, which was caught on a dashboard camera, led to a police investigation and the arrest of multiple suspects.
With Askhabov cleared, police continue to pursue eight other Russian nationals suspected of involvement in the crime.
