he Bali Police have arrested a Swiss man accused of using expletives to denigrate a Hindu religious holiday observed on the tourist island of Bali, a police official said.
Luzian Andrin Zgraggen risks up to five years in prison on hate speech charges, Bali Police spokesman Ariasandy said in a statement late Sunday that did not specify the suspect’s age.
Bali’s Day of Silence or “Nyepi,” was celebrated on Thursday and requires locals and tourists on the Hindu-majority island to stay at home for 24 hours for self-reflection.
No work, travel, entertainment and even electricity use is discouraged.
Zgraggen was arrested on Saturday after he was reported to police over an Instagram post, said Ariasandy.
In the post, he repeatedly used the “f” word to refer to the holiday.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.
Delivered straight to your inbox three times weekly, this curated briefing provides a concise overview of the day’s most important issues, covering a wide range of topics from politics to culture and society.
for signing up our newsletter!
Please check your email for your newsletter subscription.
The tourist stands accused of spreading hate speech online, an offense which under the nation’s new Criminal Code can land him as many as five years in prison.
Ariasandy said police would seize Zgraggen’s iPhone and question witnesses.
Bali attracts millions of foreign visitors each year but has seen recent high-profile cases of misbehaving tourists.
Last week, authorities on the resort island arrested two French nationals and an Italian on accusations of producing and distributing pornography, which is forbidden in the Muslim-majority country, which officially recognizes six religions as well as indigenous beliefs.