Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Swiss Tourist Sentenced to One Year for Insulting Bali's Nyepi
Nyepi is a Hindu holiday in Bali called the Day of Silence.
During it, people must stay indoors, keep quiet and meditate.
The rules apply to visitors as well as local residents.
Luzian Andrin Zgraggen posted videos of himself going toward a beach during Nyepi.
He called the tradition “crazy” and used a swear word.
Many Balinese people thought the posts were disrespectful.
Zgraggen said he was frustrated because he could not get food and did not understand the rules completely.
A court in Denpasar found him guilty of insulting the observance.
He was sentenced to one year in prison and apologised to the Balinese people.
A Denpasar court sentenced 26-year-old Swiss tourist Luzian Andrin Zgraggen to one year in prison.
The court found that his Instagram posts insulted Bali’s Hindu observance, Nyepi.
His videos showed him violating the Day of Silence restrictions and describing the tradition as “crazy” with an expletive.
Balinese residents became angry after the posts spread online, leading authorities to locate and arrest him.
Zgraggen said he did not intend to offend, did not understand the restrictions fully and regretted his actions.
- Who
- Swiss tourist Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, was sentenced by the Denpasar District Court.
- What
- He was found guilty of insulting Nyepi through Instagram posts showing him violating its restrictions.
- When
- The sentence was delivered on Thursday; his trial began in June. Nyepi is held annually, usually in March.
- Where
- The case was heard in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia; Zgraggen was arrested at a villa in Legian near Kuta Beach.
- Why
- The court said his conduct offended Balinese people, hurt their faith and provoked public outrage; Zgraggen said he did not intend to offend and misunderstood the restrictions.
Court and Balinese Residents
Defendant’s Account
Whether the posts were offensive
Court and Balinese Residents
The court said the posts offended Balinese people, hurt their faith and provoked public outrage. Residents viewed the content as disrespectful.
Defendant’s Account
Zgraggen denied intending to insult Nyepi or Balinese residents and later apologised for his actions.
Understanding of the restrictions
Court and Balinese Residents
The court found that Zgraggen continued publishing the content after villa staff had explained the Nyepi rules to him.
Defendant’s Account
Zgraggen said he did not fully understand how extensive the restrictions were and became frustrated after being unable to obtain food.
Appropriate punishment
Court and Balinese Residents
The court said Zgraggen had to be held accountable; it reduced the possible punishment after considering his age and conduct during proceedings.
Defendant’s Account
Zgraggen expressed deep regret and asked the court for consideration in his defence plea.
- Sentence
- One year in prison
- Defendant
- Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, a 26-year-old Swiss construction worker
- Offense
- Insulting Bali’s sacred Hindu observance, Nyepi
- Social media posts
- Instagram videos showed Zgraggen going toward a beach during Nyepi and calling the tradition “crazy” while using an expletive
- Nyepi restrictions
- People must remain indoors, maintain silence and meditate for 24 hours
- Enforcement
- Bali’s airport closes and internet access is switched off during the observance
- Maximum penalty
- Indonesia’s new criminal code allows up to five years in prison for the offense
- Arrest location
- A villa in Legian near Kuta Beach
