A Bermudian woman held by authorities in Indonesia over a disputed unpaid bill could spend up to 60 days in detention before any criminal charges are brought.

Andrea Warren and Chansler Butler have been in police custody since their arrest at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali last Saturday after a row with staff at a nail salon two days earlier.

The women could end up spending years in jail, according to unconfirmed press reports.

Video footage from CCTV cameras at the Ombre Nail Salon in Kerobokan, Bali, two days earlier, show Ms Warren and Ms Butler – a US citizen – having an argument with salon staff.

The footage does not reveal how the dispute started or ended. Nevertheless, the two were arrested by Indonesian authorities before taking a flight to Thailand two days later. They have since been presented before the media wearing orange prison jumpsuits and being escorted by police.

Under Indonesian law, suspects questioned by police for minor offences have to be released within 24 hours of arrest. Those facing more serious charges can be held in police custody for up to 60 days.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly reported on abuses of those regulations in the southeast Asian state.

A recent post on the Human Rights Watch website reads: “The Indonesian government frequently violated basic civil and political rights, especially of disadvantaged groups.

“Military and police abused rights across the country with impunity.”

On Thursday, a spokesman for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in London said that it was “supporting a British woman who has been arrested in Indonesia”. Ms Warren, 37, originally from Devonshire, went to university in London and lives in the British capital..

Also on Thursday, a spokeswoman for the Cabinet Office said that the Government was aware of the detention of “a Bermudian national” in Indonesia and that the situation was being monitored.

A lawyer representing the salon’s owners claims that staff had been traumatised by the incident.

Ida Bagus Adi Swastika, an attorney with the Griya Bali Law Firm in Denpasar, Bali, added that his client was not seeking compensation for alleged damages, but wanted to see justice prevail.

He told The Royal Gazette: “Whether they are guilty and go to prison or not, let the law and the courts decide. We cannot comment further on this at this time.

“What is fair for my clients? The victims were traumatised — one even needed to seek help with a psychiatrist and is now taking medication. The salon where she worked has been bullied and attacked by people who now accuse us of being racist.

“We feel uncomfortable to speak about money and compensation. This is not what our goal is. Justice is what we seek.

“We think is important for the tourists who come to Bali and Indonesia to respect our ways and people and law. We believe Balinese people especially are known to be very friendly, polite and respectful. That is all we ask for in return.”