Swiss tourist gets 1-year jail in Bali for mocking Hindu festival, calling tradition ‘crazy’
A Swiss tourist has been sentenced to one year in prison in Bali for mocking the Hindu festival Nyepi, also known as the Day of Silence, after posting videos on Instagram showing himself violating restrictions during the sacred observance.Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, was found guilty by the Denpasar District Court of violating Indonesia’s new criminal code. The court said he posted the videos even after staff at the villa where he was staying had informed him about the restrictions in place during Nyepi.According to the Associated Press, Zgraggen had filmed himself walking to a beach during the festival and described the tradition as “crazy”, while also using an expletive.The posts were widely shared on social media, triggering outrage among Balinese residents.Authorities later traced Zgraggen and arrested him at a villa in Legian, a popular tourist area near Kuta Beach.The court said his actions offended Balinese people, hurt their faith and caused public outrage.
What is Nyepi, Bali’s Hindu Day of Silence?
Nyepi is a sacred Hindu festival marking the Balinese New Year. For 24 hours, Bali largely comes to a standstill, with residents and visitors required to remain indoors and observe silence.Travel, work and public entertainment are restricted, while the use of electricity is also discouraged. Bali’s airport shuts down and internet access is switched off during the observance. The restrictions apply to everyone on the island, regardless of their religion or nationality.
Tourist says he did not intend to insult Hindu festival
During his trial, which began in June, Zgraggen said he had not intended to insult Nyepi or the Balinese people. He said he made the posts while hungry and frustrated because he could not get food during the shutdown and claimed he had not fully understood the extent of the restrictions.“I deeply regret what I did, I apologise to the Balinese people,” Zgraggen said in his defence plea, as quoted by news agency AP.The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years under Indonesian law. The court, however, took into account his young age and good behaviour while determining the one-year sentence.Swiss authorities have said they are providing consular support to Zgraggen and are in contact with the relevant Indonesian authorities.Foreign and domestic tourists have previously been detained for violating Nyepi restrictions, although such cases have generally been resolved without prosecution.
