New Zealand man accused of attempted murder in Bali after scooter accident
A New Zealand tourist holidaying on the Indonesian island of Bali has reportedly been arrested for attempted murder after what he claims was an accidental incident with a scooter driver.
Matty Isiah, a security guard who lives in Western Australia, was leaving a night club in the resort town of Kuta in the early hours of Sunday morning when he struck the driver while putting out his arm to flag down a taxi, reported the New Zealand Herald.
A co-worker, Regan Jhonson, claimed that although the incident was a misunderstanding, he had been arrested for attempted murder.
"He came out of a nightclub to flag a taxi, he's put his arm out and a scooter's ridden up along the footpath and driven straight into his arm and straight away he was mobbed by locals because they thought he had hit the rider and then he was arrested," he said.
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Mr Jhonson alleged the Kuta Police had requested $7,000 for Mr Isiah's release, threatening to process him in prison if the money did not emerge.
The police reportedly said the money was for the other person involved in the collision.
Wendy Clark, Mr Isiah's mother, told Ngaarda Media she was looking for a lawyer who could help the family. "It is very distressing to see my son in a one-metre cell on the floor. There's urine and it's flea infested.
"He's not allowed a seat, he hasn't got a bed and I am not leaving Bali until I get my baby out of there," Ms Clark said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta was providing consular assistance.
