Swiss tourist sentenced to one year in Bali prison for insulting Nyepi

A Denpasar District Court has sentenced 26-year-old Swiss tourist Luzian Andrin Zgraggen to one year in prison for insulting the sacred Balinese Hindu holiday of Nyepi. The sentencing follows a trial regarding social media posts made during the Day of Silence in March.

Zgraggen filmed himself walking to a beach during the 24-hour period of silence, a time when all activity on the island is prohibited and residents are expected to remain indoors to meditate. In the videos, he used expletives and described the tradition as “crazy.” Prosecutors noted that Zgraggen had been informed of the restrictions by hotel staff prior to the holiday but proceeded to defy them due to frustration over being unable to leave his accommodation for food.

Presiding judge Tjokorda Putra Budi Pastima stated that the defendant’s actions “offended the Balinese people, hurt their faith and provoked public outrage.” While Zgraggen expressed regret in court, claiming he did not fully understand the extent of the restrictions, the court ruled he must be held accountable for his conduct.