LATEST: Authorities identify the SUSPECT behind the kidnapping of the passenger found on a BALI BEACH; the cause of the TRAGIC END has been explained, and the perpetrator is a MAN from the victim’s CIRCLE

Ihor Komarov, a 28-year-old Ukrainian national, was reported abducted in mid-February while riding a motorcycle with a friend in Jimbaran

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Indonesia

Crime | Law | Bali Police | Ukraine

SCMP’s Asia desk

Published: 8:24pm, 6 Mar 2026

Mutilated human remains, including a severed head, that were discovered on a Bali beach last month have been identified through DNA testing as those of a Ukrainian tourist who police say was kidnapped earlier in the resort island’s south, according to Indonesian authorities.

Bali police said forensic analysis had confirmed that body parts found near Ketewel Beach in Gianyar Regency belonged to Ihor Komarov, a 28-year-old Ukrainian national who had been reported abducted in mid-February.

The remains were identified after investigators compared DNA extracted from the body parts with samples provided by the victim’s parents, Bali police spokesman Ariasandy said during a briefing in Denpasar.

“We can therefore conclude that the body parts found in Ketewel belong to the victim who was reported kidnapped some time ago, a Ukrainian national,” Ariasandy said on Friday, as quoted by local news outlet Kumparan.

Media reports have identified Komarov as the son of a wealthy businessman from Dnipro and said his kidnappers had demanded about US$10 million from his family. Those reports were amplified by videos circulated online that appeared to show him injured and pleading for payment.

However, Indonesian police have publicly maintained that the motive remains under investigation and have not fully confirmed the claims about his family background.

“So far we have not received any information about the [possible involvement of a mafia network], either from the relevant embassy or from the local police regarding the background of this network,” Ariasandy said.

“We are still identifying individuals whom we strongly suspect are linked to this kidnapping.”

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Residents first discovered the remains near the mouth of the Wos River on Ketewel Beach on February 26, prompting a search of the surrounding coastline that led police to recover additional body parts.

Local officials in Ketewel said residents initially mistook the severed head for part of an ogoh-ogoh festival effigy – a traditional statue built ahead of Bali’s Nyepi holiday – before realising it was human and alerting authorities.

Authorities had already been investigating the disappearance of Komarov, who police believe was abducted on February 15 in the Jimbaran area while riding a motorcycle with a friend.

According to investigators, the attackers forced the Ukrainian man into a vehicle, leaving the friend behind to alert authorities.

Police later traced evidence to a villa in Tabanan Regency and a Toyota Avanza believed to have been used by the perpetrators.

Authorities have named six foreign nationals as suspects in the case, all of whom are believed to have fled Indonesia.

“All of them are foreign nationals with multiple passports. Some have two or three passports. Verification is being carried out abroad,” Ariasandy told reporters.

Indonesian police have issued international alerts and are coordinating with Interpol and immigration authorities to locate the suspects.

Local media reported that another suspect had been arrested in West Nusa Tenggara.

Investigators are still working to determine the precise roles of those involved and the motive behind the killing.

“Some carried out the kidnapping; there may be others who subsequently committed abuse,” Ariasandy said in the same briefing, indicating that police believed multiple people were involved in the crime.

Decomposing and mutilated human remains found on a beach on the resort island of Bali belonged to a Ukrainian man kidnapped and tortured while on holiday, Indonesian police said Friday.

Ihor Komarov, 28, was identified from DNA samples taken from the dismembered body and compared to those of his mother, Bali police spokesman Ariasandy told reporters in Denpasar, the capital of Bali.

He did not name Komarov, but showed a piece of paper with his name and birthdate on it.

According to media reports, Komarov — his first name spelled Igor — was the son of a wealthy Ukrainian businessman and was badly tortured by his kidnappers, who sought millions of dollars in ransom from his family.

Officially, police say the motive for the crime is still under investigation.

Komarov was kidnapped on February 15 while riding on a motorbike with a friend in the resort town of Jimbaran.  According to news.com.au, he was traveling with his girlfriend, Yea Mishalova, a social media influencer who shared a photo of herself and Komarov on Valentine’s Day.

He was forced into a car by a group of assailants, leaving behind the friend who reported the incident to the police.

Days later, locals found body parts on a nearby beach and next to a river.

Police later arrested the man who had rented the car used in the crime. He named six others — all foreign nationals now considered suspects and wanted for kidnapping and aggravated assault.

All six have fled the country, and police have issued an international red notice for their arrest, said Ariasandy, who, like many Indonesians, uses only one name.

“Some carried out the kidnapping; there may be others who subsequently committed abuse,” he added.

“All of them are foreign nationals with passports that may number more than two. Some have two or three passports. Verification is being carried out abroad,” said Ariasandy.