DENPASAR: Bali police have arrested a Swiss tourist for allegedly spreading hate speech about Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence, with the man facing a possible three-year prison sentence.
Luzian Andrin Zgraggen was arrested on Friday (March 20) after he posted a story on his Instagram account @luzzysun, showing him going outside during Nyepi on Thursday and writing “A day of silence where you’re not allowed to go outside in Bali is pretty peaceful outside:), F*#@ Nyepi day and f*#@ your rules too”.
Detectives named Zgraggen a suspect on Saturday.
“We have officially named Swiss man Luzian Andrin Zgraggen a suspect,” Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr Ariasandy told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
He said Zgraggen would be charged with violating Article 301 of the Criminal Code for broadcasting, displaying, posting writings or images or playing a recording, including distributing it through information technology media, that contains a criminal act as referred to in Article 300, with the intention that the content of such writings, images or recordings be known or more widely known to the public.
Ariasandy said that Zgraggen’s Instagram story contained expressions of hatred or hostility toward a group or community based on religion or belief in Indonesia
The police decided to name Zgraggen a suspect after an investigation by the Bali Police Cyber Crimes Investigation directorate following a report made by a member of the public regarding his Instagram story.
“All elements stipulated in Article 300 have been met,” Ariasandy said.
“The perpetrator has broadcast and disseminated [the content] through information technology media and the suspect, as the owner of Instagram account @luzzysun, should take responsibility for his actions,” Ariasandy said.
Police have also confiscated the suspect’s Instagram account and iPhone 16 smartphone.
Nyepi is observed by Balinese Hindus to mark the Caka Lunar New Year. For 24 hours all markets, shops, offices, cafes, bars, restaurants and other public spaces are closed.
On the day, Balinese Hindus must abstain from four activities, namely amati geni (abstain from lighting fires), amati karya (abstain from work), amati lelungan (abstain from venturing outside the family compound) and amati lelanguan (abstain from entertainment). - The Jakarta Post/ANN
