Western tourists were handcuffed for violating a holy holiday in Bali

On March 23, Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, a Swiss tourist, was arrested and handcuffed in Bali after showing off his “trophies” on the street on Nyepi Day (Day of Silence – March 19).

In a video posted on March 20, a Swiss tourist repeatedly insulted the holiday and showed off walking to the beach at midnight, undetected by the authorities. The video quickly attracted attention and angered locals.

Bali police’s cyber security investigation agency discovered the incident through online tracing. Using professional measures, the authorities tracked Zgraggen as he moved from Kuta to Ubud and finally arrested the male tourist at an accommodation facility in Badung district.

Bali police spokesman Mr. Ariasandy said: “The suspect is accused of violating Article 301 of Indonesia’s 2023 Penal Law on spreading content inciting religious hatred in cyberspace.” Currently, Zgraggen has been detained for investigation.

Senator Niluh Djelantik met this Swiss tourist in his private office, explaining that he had insulted Hindus. In response, the tourist said he did not like the regulations on the island.

“So don’t come here, Bali is not your home. If you think everything is unfair, I guarantee you will never set foot in Indonesia again,” Ms. Djelantik said, emphasizing that any foreigner who violates the “Day of Silence” regulations will face deportation and be put on a permanent blacklist.

Nyepi is an important spiritual and cultural holiday for contemplation, meditation and spiritual purification. This holiday originates from Hinduism, which accounts for about 87% of the island’s population.

Bali officials also recommend that tourists understand the strictness of this holiday. For 24 hours on one day in March every year, the entire streets of Bali will stop working to celebrate Nyepi.

Regulations include bans on the use of lighting, music, vehicles and transportation. The regulations apply to everyone on the island, regardless of religion or nationality. All businesses and public services are closed, except for emergency services. Aviation operations were also completely suspended.

Residents and tourists must stay in their homes or places of residence. Hotels will advise guests on permitted activities; Some offer quiet buffets and limited access to resort facilities. Some other accommodation facilities require guests not to leave their rooms at all and have food delivered to them.

This year, a 57-year-old American tourist, Karl Adolf Amrhein, was also detained by Sukawati village police while walking on the main road at 7am. Initially, this person pretended to be mute while working with the police, but later admitted that he had to leave his old hotel in Ubud due to the room’s expiration date and was looking for a new place to live. After being reminded, Mr. Amrhein was escorted to a nearby villa to stay temporarily over the holidays.