EXCLUSIVEBali police give update on Aussie AFL star Ricky Olarenshaw over illegal sex spa probe - as his wife faces 12 years in jail for allegedly running a brothel
Balinese police have no plans to interrogate AFL star Ricky Olarenshaw over the ownership of a spa his estranged wife is accused of running as a brothel.
Balinese police have no plans to interrogate AFL star Ricky Olarenshaw over the ownership of a spa his estranged wife is accused of running as a brothel.
Sarnanitha Nitha Olarenshaw claims she was illegally detained after being arrested over allegations sex was being offered at her Flame Seminyak spa.
Olarenshaw, an Instagram influencer with 20,000 followers, could face 12 years in prison if charged and found guilty of alleged pornography and prostitution activities at the business.
Her lawyer, Donny Tri Istiqomah, told Daily Mail Australia last week that Olarenshaw had been a victim of exploitation and criminalisation by foreigners.
Mr Istigomah said while Olarenshaw, being Balinese, owned 99 per cent of the business to get round local laws, all the profits went to four Australians who had an interest in Flame.
Olarenshaw claims the four Aussies are her estranged husband Ricky, his brother Darren and two other Bali-based Australians, Adam Dalby and Gregory Hinchliffe.
Mr Istigomah insisted Flame Seminyak, part of a chain of spas with sister centres in Kuta and Canggu, only provided sensual massage, no intercourse.
On Monday, Balinese police said they were working to complete the investigation into Olarenshaw as soon as possible.
Balinese police have no plans to interrogate AFL star Ricky Olarenshaw over the ownership of a spa his estranged wife Sarnanitha Olarenshaw (above) is accused of running as a brothel
Police spokesman Jansen Avitus Panjaitan said while ownership of Flame formed part of the inquiries there were no plans to interview Ricky Olarenshaw.
Mr Panjaitan said based on legal documents available to police, the four Australians including Ricky Olarenshaw are nothing to do with it.
If later, we think we need to summon them, we will, he said. But so far, there [is no] plan to do so.
Olarenshaw is being held at Bali Polices Detention and Evidence Directorate, along with Melbourne couple, Michael and Lynley Le Grand, who were arrested separately over alleged prostitution at Pink Palace Spa.
Mr Panjaitan said police believed they already had all those responsible for allegedly allowing prostitution at their businesses in custody.
Everyone can claim a business as theirs, but if there is no legal document to show it, how could we prove it? he said.
How can you prove it as yours, if you dont have the document that shows that it yours?
Sarnanitha Nitha Olarenshaw claims she was illegally detained after being arrested over allegations sex was being offered at her Flame Seminyak spa. She is pictured with her estranged husband Ricky Olarenshaw
Mr Panjaitan said providing capital for a business did not make a person legally responsible for how it was operated.
Mr Istiqomah previously provided his clients explanation of the spas ownership to Daily Mail Australia.
Police feel doubt as the legal document only showed Nitha’s name, he said. [But] this is a general practice in Bali.
As we know, foreign investment in Indonesia should have capital minimum of 10 billion rupiah (AU$1million).
That’s why they usually use local people as owner. Many businesses owned by foreigners use Indonesian name, their wifes name. Investigators should realise this.
Mr Istiqomah said his clients pre-court hearing, which he hoped would exonerate her, would be help on October 28.
Olarenshaw is understood to have returned to Australia just days before Bali Police raided the Flame spa, in late September.
Nitha was taken into custody last week, along with three Flame employees.
The case is still under investigation but prostitution and sex work is highly illegal in Bali and considered a crime against decency and morality in the country.
Olarenshaw is being held at Bali Polices Detention and Evidence Directorate (above), along with Melbourne couple, Michael and Lynley Le Grand, who were arrested separately over alleged prostitution at Pink Palace Spa
Services at Flame Spa range from $95 to $181 per session and its motto allegedly was: Our service is more than just a sensual massage, it is an erotic experience.
Our aim is to ignite your flame.
Its Instagram profile allegedly advertised Balis premier sensual massage.
The TikTok page allegedly advised customers to bring your date or partner to enjoy the experience with us.
During one police raid at Flame, a massage therapist was found in a completely naked condition.
Olarenshaws LinkedIn describes herself as being the self-employed owner of Flame Spa since July 2017 and her personal Instagram labels her a womanpreneur.
Since the allegations against her emerged, she has switched her Instagram account, which has 23,000 followers, to private.
Olarenshaw moved to Bali after his retirement from the AFL and has since become the director of three F45 gym studios there.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any wrongdoing on behalf of Olarenshaw, or that he was aware of any alleged illegal activity happening within the spa.
Nitha claims she split from her husband earlier this year. Her lawyer said she just wants to live with her daughter in peace.
