How the Swiss man angered the residents of Bali
On August 20, 2026, a court on the Indonesian island of Bali sentenced 26-year-old Swiss tourist Lucian Andrin Zgraggen to one year in prison for violating the rules on the Day of Silence, known as Nyepi, as well as for publicly boasting about this on social media. The Day of Silence lasts for 24 hours, starting from 06:00 one day to 06:00 the next. During this time, it is prohibited to go out on the streets, the airport is closed, the internet is disconnected, and beaches and streets remain deserted. The restrictions of this day apply to all residents and tourists, regardless of their nationality or religion.
The Denpasar District Court found that Zgraggen boasted on Instagram about violating the restrictions, despite the villa staff warning him about the rules. In his video, he described a walk to the beach, calling the tradition 'crazy' and using profanity. These actions provoked the condemnation of local residents, and the authorities arrested him at the villa in the tourist area. Zgraggen stated that he did not intend to offend the Hindu holiday and posted his messages in a state of hunger and frustration.
The defendant's actions, as noted by court representative Chokorda Putra Budi Pastima, 'offended the Balinese, touched their faith, and caused public outrage.'
He also emphasized that the defendant must be held accountable for his actions. Previously in Bali, an American tourist was detained for going out on the streets during Nyepi, but similar cases were usually resolved without legal prosecution.
Furthermore, in Bali, tourists have been threatened with prison sentences of up to 20 years for violating new immigration rules. Foreigners are also required to always carry their passports. These measures are aimed at ensuring compliance with local traditions and rules that are essential for the island community.
This case underscores the importance of respecting local traditions and laws for tourists visiting Bali. The Day of Silence, as an important religious ritual, holds special significance for the Balinese, and violating its rules can lead to serious consequences. The authorities in Bali are striving to ensure harmony between tourists and the local community, which is critically important in the context of the growing tourist influx on the island.