Police in Bali have requested the help of Interpol in the questioning of musician Azaria Byrne, frontman of rock band The Art and ex-boyfriend of Veronicas singer Jess Origliasso, in relation to the arrest of Sydney woman Leeza Ormsby, who was staying in a villa formerly occupied by Byrne.
As The Daily Telegraph reports, Byrne had paid three million rupiah (AU$300) for a three-night stay at the Askara Villas in Kuta, before handing the keys over to a friend as he and his partner had only intended to stay for two nights before flying home ahead of Byrne’s upcoming tour commitments.
According to News.com.au, Denpasar Police Chief Djoko Hariutomo stated that officers were coordinating with Interpol to question the musician, who left the villa a day before 132g of ecstasy and 27g of hashish were reportedly found inside, for which Ormsby is facing potential jail time.
“Is there any linkage [of the one who rented the villa] with the case? We don’t know. But as of now, based on the statement from the suspect [Ms Ormsby], there is no involvement [of the one who rent the villa] with the case,” Supt Hariutomo told News.com.au.
“As far I know, no one I spent time with on the trip had drugs or would be involved in something like this,” Byrne told the Telegraph, insisting the holiday “was not a party thing, it was simply about unwinding and chilling” and saying that the experience has “left a bad taste in my mouth.”
Byrne was reportedly shocked to learn of Ms Ormsby’s arrest. Ormsby was a friend of Byrne’s mate, whom he discovered was also holidaying in Bali via Facebook. The group reportedly went out for a meal before heading to the Kuta villa and then returning to their respective accommodation.
Byrne then saw his mate again the next evening before travelling with his partner to Ngurah Rai Airport where they handed the key to the villa to their friend. Byrne has said that he believes Ms Ormsby, who faces a potential 20-year prison sentence or the death penalty, is innocent.
