Swiss Tourist Sentenced to One Year in Bali for Filming During Nyepi
Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, a 26-year-old tourist from Switzerland, has received a one-year prison sentence in Indonesia for recording a video during Nyepi, Bali's Day of Silence. On August 21, the Denpasar District Court found him guilty of disrespecting a religious observance as per Indonesia's updated criminal code. Zgraggen arrived in Bali on February 10 and shared a video on Instagram where he walked to a deserted beach, using profanity, even after being warned about Nyepi's restrictions prior to March 19. His actions sparked outrage among locals. Following public complaints, authorities apprehended him at a villa in Legian. During the trial, Zgraggen expressed remorse, claiming he did not mean to offend Nyepi.
Key facts
- Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, a 26-year-old Swiss construction worker, was sentenced to one year in jail.
- The sentence was handed down on August 21 at the Denpasar District Court.
- He was convicted of insulting a religious observance under Indonesia's new criminal code.
- The maximum sentence for the offense is five years, but mitigating factors reduced it.
- Zgraggen filmed himself during Nyepi, Bali's Day of Silence, and posted it on Instagram.
- Nyepi fell on March 19 this year; Zgraggen arrived in Bali on February 10.
- The video was widely reposted, leading to public complaints and his arrest in Legian.
- Zgraggen apologized, saying he was hungry and frustrated and did not intend disrespect.
- PetaPixel previously reported on Indonesia's crackdown on foreign photographers and videographers.
Entities
Artists
- Luzian Andrin Zgraggen
Institutions
- Denpasar District Court
- The New York Times
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Bali
- Indonesia
- Switzerland
- Legian
- Kuta Beach