Indonesia's Bali clamps down on 'disrespectful' visitors after Russian nude viral video controversy

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster (second right) speaking at a press conference on May 6, 2022, announcing the deportation of Russian couple Amdrei Fazleev (left, front) and Alina Fazleeva for taking nude photos at a sacred tree in a Hindu temple compound. - Jakarta Post/ANN

BALI (Denpasar), May 7 (Jakarta Post): Bali Governor I Wayan Koster on Saturday has reiterated that the province will not tolerate any foreign nationals who do not respect the local culture as authorities deported on Friday night (May 6) a Russian couple caught in a viral video, which shows one of the pair posing naked by a sacred tree at a temple compound.

“Although they have apologized, we will not forgive them. They should be sanctioned. It is about maintaining the dignity and [honor] of Balinese culture,” Koster told a press conference earlier on Friday, at which the couple was also present.