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Soldiers

British Robber Who Stole £300,000 in Bitcoin Raid Walks Free from Bali Prison

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Former soldier Greg Simpson, 39, was jailed for kidnap and robbery in 2022 for his role in a terrifying knifepoint raid on an Italian couple's villa in November 2021. Simpson and his alleged accomplices stole 5.8 billion Indonesian Rupiahs, equivalent to £300,000. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto granted Simpson a reprieve as part of the country's independence celebrations, allowing him to leave Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison.

Key Takeaways:

  • Greg Simpson, a 39-year-old former soldier, was jailed for kidnap and robbery in 2022 for his role in a £300,000 Bitcoin raid on an Italian couple's villa in November 2021.
  • Simpson and his alleged accomplices stole 5.8 billion Indonesian Rupiahs, equivalent to £300,000.
  • Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto granted Simpson a reprieve as part of the country's independence celebrations, allowing him to leave Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison.
  • Simpson was one of three Brits to receive remissions on Indonesian Independence Day, along with Thomas Parker, a 32-year-old electrician, and Callum James Park, 35, a drug convict.
  • Simpson was released with only a bag containing his clothes, after receiving remissions on Independence Day and Christmas.
  • Other British prisoners, including drug mule Lindsay Sandiford, 69, had hoped to be freed but were not among the three released.

Statistics:

  • 5.8 billion Indonesian Rupiahs, equivalent to £300,000, was stolen in the raid.
  • 3 British prisoners, including Greg Simpson, received remissions on Indonesian Independence Day.
  • 1 prison, Kerobokan, is quoted as one of Indonesia's most feared institutions due to its violent domestic gangs.
  • 12 years, the amount of time drug mule Lindsay Sandiford has spent on death row.
  • 1.6 million, the amount of cocaine Sandiford was convicted of bringing into Indonesia.

Sources:

  • Mr Ismono, Prison chief of Kerobokan prison, quoted in the article.
  • President Prabowo Subianto, quoted in the article.
  • A source, quoted in the article: "Simpson's crime was abhorrent but the Indonesian authorities are desperate to cut the huge prison population and foreign nationals are easy to release."
  • Quote from Hudi Ismono, Prison chief of Kerobokan prison: "He has been well behaved and has not caused disturbances. He was released with only a bag containing his clothes."

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