Swiss national who insulted Hindus in Bali, Indonesia, sentenced to one year in prison

A 26-year-old Swiss national tourist who disseminated video clips on social media in a manner that insulted the sacred 'Nyepi' festival of silence observed by Hindus on the Indonesian island of Bali has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Denpasar High Court in Bali.

According to this verdict, announced on Thursday, August 20, 2026, the construction worker named Lucien Andrin Sgraggen was charged under Article 301(1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 of Indonesia's new Penal Code. Although spreading religious hatred and defamation through information technology can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison, the prosecution sought a 15-month sentence. The panel of judges, considering the defendant's age, good conduct in court, and the fact that it was his first visit to Bali, sentenced him to one year in prison. As he has already been in custody for approximately five months, that period will be deducted from his sentence.

This incident was triggered by several video clips he uploaded to his Instagram account during the Nyepi festival, which took place on March 19, 2026. Despite being previously informed by the accommodation staff about the imposed restrictions, he went outside and walked towards an empty beach, releasing video clips containing profanity and defamatory statements, severely condemning the sacred day and its rules. Following widespread criticism of these videos on social media, he was arrested by the police in late March while staying at a villa in the Legian area.

'Nyepi', the Balinese Hindu New Year celebrated according to the Saka calendar, is a sacred day of 24-hour complete silence, self-reflection, and meditation. To purify the island and deceive evil spirits, all people in Bali, including tourists, must adhere to four restrictions: refraining from lighting fires and lights, not engaging in work, not traveling, and abstaining from entertainment. Due to this, the airport, roads, and all shops are closed, and traditional 'Pecalang' security officers enforce these rules.

Announcing the verdict, Presiding Judge Cokorda Putra Budi Pastima stated that the defendant was responsible as his actions harmed the beliefs of the Balinese people and incited public anger. The defendant apologized to the people of Bali in court, stating that he behaved in this manner due to anger and frustration caused by a lack of food, and that he had no intention of insulting the religious festival. While previously tourists violating such restrictions were only deported, this verdict makes it clear that Indonesian authorities have began to strictly enforce the law under the new Penal Code to control inappropriate behavior by tourists. In this regard, the Swiss Embassy is providing the accused with the necessary diplomatic assistance.