Detention of Australian Couple in Bali Postponed for Compassionate Reasons Amid Prostitution Allegations

Bali, Indonesia – January 13, 2025 – The detention of Australian couple Michael and Lynley Le Grand has been postponed by Indonesian authorities due to health concerns surrounding Mr. Le Grand, who is currently receiving treatment for cancer. This decision, announced by Bali police, follows confusion stemming from a media report suggesting that the couple had been released on bail.

According to Indonesian police, Michael Le Grand, 50, and Lynley Le Grand, 44, remain under police detention despite claims reported by The Courier Mail that they had been granted bail. Police clarified that the couple’s detention will be postponed while Mr. Le Grand undergoes necessary medical care at the Trijata police hospital in Bali, with Ms. Le Grand permitted to accompany him during his treatment.

Legal Pressures and Allegations

The couple has been in custody since October 2024 as police investigate allegations of violating Indonesian laws that prohibit prostitution. If convicted, they each face sentences of up to 12 years in prison. Complicating the situation further, police have also alleged that an employee taken into custody during a raid of the couple’s massage spa was underage, raising additional potential charges related to child protection laws.

The couple’s legal counsel, Joniono Raharjo, has stated that the bail claims are erroneous and intends to pursue legal action against The Courier Mail for what he termed a misleading report. The Bali police reinforced that no bail payments were made, and the couple’s continued detention is fully warranted based on the ongoing legal proceedings against them.

Background of the Case

The couple was arrested during a police raid on their business, the Pink Palace Spa, which was promoted as a ‘blissful sanctuary of relaxation’ on its social media platforms. Following the crackdown, the spa ceased operations. In addition to the spa, the Le Grands are associated with other businesses in Bali, including the GOAT Seminyak sports bar and a popular café.

Their three children have since returned to Australia following their parents’ arrests, marking a difficult time for the family as they navigate the legal challenges ahead.

The October raid that led to the Le Grands’ detention was part of a broader initiative aimed at targeting alleged prostitution providers across Bali. This operation also included scrutiny of a separate spa managed by the estranged wife of former Australian Rules Football player Ricky Olarenshaw. Sarnanitha, known as Nitha, has claimed she was merely a front for the business, which she alleges is co-owned by four Australian men, including Olarenshaw. She currently faces similar charges and has also been denied bail.

Mr. Olarenshaw has publicly contested much of what has been reported in the media, calling the situation ‘complicated and delicate’ while asserting that the majority of information circulating is inaccurate.

As this situation unfolds, community members and observers in Bali will be monitoring the legal proceedings closely, especially the implications for the couple’s family and other associated parties. The postponed detention provides a temporary reprieve for the Le Grands as they confront significant legal challenges and personal health issues.