Swiss tourist sentenced to a year in jail for insulting Bali’s sacred Day of Silence
Summary
A Swiss tourist was sentenced to one year in prison in Bali, Indonesia, for insulting the sacred Balinese Hindu Day of Silence (Nyepi) through social media posts. The court found that he broke Indonesia’s criminal code by mocking the tradition and ignoring the rules that prohibit leaving home during the observance.Key Facts
- Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, a 26-year-old Swiss tourist, was sentenced to one year in jail by a court in Denpasar, Bali.
- He posted videos and messages on Instagram mocking the Day of Silence, calling it "crazy" and using foul language.
- The Day of Silence (Nyepi) is a sacred Hindu tradition on Bali, where people must stay home, keep silent, and avoid using the internet or leaving their residences.
- The Bali airport and public services shut down during Nyepi, and the rules apply to everyone, including tourists.
- Zgraggen ignored villa staff warnings and openly defied the rules by going to the beach during the observance.
- His posts caused public outrage among Balinese people, leading to his arrest after complaints.
- Zgraggen apologized in court, saying he did not intend to insult the holiday and acted out of frustration and hunger.
- Previous cases of tourists breaking Nyepi rules were usually settled without court trials, but this case led to a prison sentence.
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