The Badung District Prosecutor’s Office in Bali has demanded a seven-month prison sentence for an American citizen, Reza Masomi (43), in a theft case involving a television at a guesthouse in Kuta. The demand was read by Public Prosecutor (JPU) Dian Saraswati during a hearing at the Denpasar District Court on Thursday
Charged Under Article 362 of the Criminal Code
In her sentencing submission, the prosecutor stated that Reza Masomi was proven legally and convincingly to have committed theft, as stipulated in Article 362 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. The prosecutor argued that the defendant’s actions met the elements of the single charge brought by the prosecution.
“Imposing a criminal sentence on the defendant Reza Masomi with a prison sentence of 7 (seven) months minus the arrest period and the detention period of the defendant, with the order that the defendant be detained,” said the prosecutor.
In addition to the prison demand, the prosecutor also requested that the evidence — a black 32-inch Changhong television along with its remote — be returned to the guesthouse owner, I Made Aron Suardana.
Chronology of the Incident
According to the indictment, Reza Masomi stayed in Room 210 of the Suardana Inn, owned by witness I Made Aron Suardana, from May 9 to May 14, 2025. On the last day of his stay, at around 11:00 a.m. local time, the defendant removed the television mounted on the wall of the room before checking out.
After taking the television, the defendant left the Suardana Inn and moved to Cempaka 2 Accommodation, located on Jalan Poppies, Kuta Village, Kuta District, Badung Regency. He stayed in Room 10 at the new accommodation.
As a result of the incident, the guesthouse owner suffered a material loss of 3 million rupiah and reported the matter to the police.
Arrest and Legal Process
Reza Masomi was arrested on May 19, 2025, five days after the incident. He was then named a suspect and processed by the Badung District Prosecutor’s Office.
During the trial, the prosecutor presented evidence supporting the charge, including the recovered television and witness testimony.
Defendant Requests Leniency
In response to the prosecutor’s demand, Reza Masomi requested leniency from the panel of judges. He admitted to acting recklessly and asked for forgiveness so that he could return to his home country.
The request was delivered directly before the presiding judges. As of now, it remains unclear whether the panel will consider this plea in the final decision.
Next Court Agenda
The court has scheduled the next hearing in two weeks for the reading of the verdict. Until then, the defendant remains in custody.
This case remains under judicial process at the Denpasar District Court, with its outcome to be determined at the upcoming session.
