Bali is renowned for its golden beaches and smiling locals, but a group of Melbourne men have been deeply traumatised by a violent encounter with corrupt police and private security guards on the tropical island that attracts thousands of Australians every week.
The 16 men flew to Bali for the buck's weekend of marketing consultant and former model, Mark Ipaviz, and ended up being pistol-whipped, Tasered and forced to pay a bribe of about $25,000 to avoid trumped-up charges and threats of a 10-year prison sentence.
The incident is expected to escalate concerns about the safety of Australians visiting Bali, which has already experienced a tourism backlash following the executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran for drug trafficking.
Mark Ipaviz with Nick Russian and Simon Phan.
The group included prominent nightclub owner Nick Russian, several former models, celebrity hairdresser Joey Scandizzo, and other mates such as Simon Phan and Dan Beckwith, and some who grew up with Mr Ipaviz on the Mornington Peninsula.
None of the men contacted by Fairfax Media were willing to talk publicly about their treatment by Balinese police or security staff. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the allegations, but also declined to comment.
Mr Ipaviz released a short statement, but refused to respond to questions.
"I hope you can appreciate that I have chosen not to comment due to my concern for other Australians and foreigners in similar situations of wrongful arrest who may have to deal with overseas authorities less responsible and less ethical than theirs in their own country.
"An article of this nature could potentially inflame such situations internationally and I would prefer not to be responsible for that," Mr Ipaviz said.
Melbourne men pistol-whipped, Tasered and extorted in Bali
The 16 men flew to Bali for the buck's weekend of marketing consultant and former model, Mark Ipaviz, and ended up being pistol-whipped, Tasered and forced to pay a bribe of about $25,000 to avoid trumped-up charges and threats of a 10-year prison sentence.
The incident is expected to escalate concerns about the safety of Australians visiting Bali, which has already experienced a tourism backlash following the executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran for drug trafficking.
Mark Ipaviz with Nick Russian and Simon Phan.
The group included prominent nightclub owner Nick Russian, several former models, celebrity hairdresser Joey Scandizzo, and other mates such as Simon Phan and Dan Beckwith, and some who grew up with Mr Ipaviz on the Mornington Peninsula.
None of the men contacted by Fairfax Media were willing to talk publicly about their treatment by Balinese police or security staff. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the allegations, but also declined to comment.
Mr Ipaviz released a short statement, but refused to respond to questions.
"I hope you can appreciate that I have chosen not to comment due to my concern for other Australians and foreigners in similar situations of wrongful arrest who may have to deal with overseas authorities less responsible and less ethical than theirs in their own country.
"An article of this nature could potentially inflame such situations internationally and I would prefer not to be responsible for that," Mr Ipaviz said.
Melbourne men pistol-whipped, Tasered and extorted in Bali