Bali Court Jails Swiss Tourist 1 Year for Mocking Nyepi on Instagram

3 articles · Updated · Hindustan Times · Aug 21

Denpasar District Court sentenced 26-year-old Luzian Andrin Zgraggen to one year in prison for videos showing him breaking Nyepi restrictions and insulting the Hindu holy day.
The court said villa staff had already explained the Day of Silence rules, but he still posted clips of himself walking to a beach and calling the tradition “crazy” with an expletive.
Indonesia’s law allowed up to five years, but judges cut the term to one year after weighing his age and good behavior; Zgraggen told the court he was hungry, frustrated and did not mean to offend.
Swiss authorities said they are providing consular support and can inform jailed citizens about possible transfer to Switzerland, while stressing that travelers must respect local laws and religious customs.
Nyepi shuts Bali down for 24 hours—including travel, entertainment, internet access and the airport—and although violators have been detained before, prosecutions have usually been avoided.