2 Russian Caucasians In Bali Sentenced To 10 Months In Prison In Prostitution Case

The two defendants Anastasiia Koveziuk (26) and Maxsim Tokarev (32) underwent a verdict hearing at the Denpasar District Court, Bali, Thursday (22/5/2025). ANTARA/Rolandus Nampu

DENPASAR - Two foreign nationals (WNA) from Russia Anastasiia Koveziuk (26) and Maxsim Tokarev (32) were sentenced to 10 months in prison each by the Denpasar District Court (PN) judges.

The panel of judges chaired by Heriyati found both of them guilty of participating in providing pornographic services in international online prostitution networks by exploiting a female country for prostitution in Bali.

In its decision, the Panel of Judges stated that the two defendants were proven to have committed a criminal act as stated in Article 4 paragraph (2) Jo. Article 30 of Law No. 44 of 2008 concerning Pornography Jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code, according to the alternative indictment of the two Badung Prosecutors (JPU) Made Hendra Pranata Dharmaputra.

"The trial, each of the defendants was sentenced to 10 months in prison, reduced while the defendant was in detention, and ordered both of them to remain detained," said the panel of judges as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, May 22.

The judge's verdict was three months lighter than the prosecutor's demand, which previously demanded that the two defendants be sentenced to one year in prison.

In their consideration, the panel of judges said that the defendants' actions were troubling the community. While mitigating, the defendant was polite, cooperative, and had never been convicted.

As revealed in the prosecutor's indictment, this case began with the disclosure of prostitution practices at the Koa D'Surfer Hotel, Jalan Pantai Berawa, North Kuta, on January 10, 2025 in the morning.

At that time, officers from the Badung Police found a Russian man having sex with a Ukrainian woman named Ermakova Ekaterina alias Pamela alias Lisa, who was advertised through the website www.eurogirlscort.comand controlled by the two defendants.

This prostitution business is run in an organized and international manner. In running this business, Anastasiia acts as the main controller, recruiting foreign women as commercial sex workers (CSWs), providing shelter, regulating operations, and holding payment accounts.

He also manages Telegram accounts @Lana Sunshine and the group Time Liza Bali to organize prostitutes, "said the prosecutor.

Meanwhile, Maxsim Tokarev acts as a manager who communicates with customers via WhatsApp, arranges the schedule and location of the meeting, and ensures that payments have been received before the prostitutes are sent.

The prostitution practice was uncovered after a police investigation into transactions on the site involving witness Kiryl Adamchuk alias Alexander. He ordered services at a rate of Rp. 5.5 million and transacted directly to Anastasiia's account.

"After confirming the payment, the prostitutes were sent to the hotel to serve customers. Just had time to warm up, the police immediately carried out raids and arrested the perpetrators at the scene," said the prosecutor.

Witness Ermakova claimed to have worked on this network since December 29, 2024, after previously operating in Thailand. In Bali, he lives in accommodation provided by Anastasiia, and is not allowed to live outside the specified location.

The dating rate ranges from 300-350 US dollars, with a profit-sharing system, 50 percent for prostitutes, 40 percent for Anastasiia, and 10 percent for Maxsim. Payments are made through cash, transfer, or cryptocurrencies. After the witness was interrogated, it didn't take long for the two main brains in this case to be caught in their villas staying in Banjar Anyar Kelod, North Kuta, on the same day.