Swiss tourist jailed in Indonesia for insulting Hindu holiday

Denpasar, Indonesia - A Swiss tourist, Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, has been sentenced to one year in prison in Indonesia for insulting a Hindu religious day while on holiday in Bali. Zgraggen was arrested in March after posting on Instagram about the Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence that marks the Balinese New Year. The post contained expletives and denigrated the day, which is observed as a day of silence by Hindus.

The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison under Indonesian law, but the court considered Zgraggen's young age and good behavior as mitigating factors. The Swiss foreign ministry in Bern confirmed they are aware of the case but cannot provide further information due to privacy reasons. The Swiss Embassy in Jakarta is providing consular support, which includes informing Zgraggen of the possibility of a transfer to Switzerland and verifying his treatment in prison.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the need for tourists to respect local laws, religious, and cultural customs. Bali is a popular tourist destination but has seen several recent high-profile cases of tourists misbehaving, such as two French nationals and an Italian arrested for producing and distributing pornographic material, and two Dutch citizens banned from returning to Indonesia for organizing a foreigner-only running event.