DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – A Swiss national has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Denpasar District Court after being found guilty in a case involving alleged insults against Bali’s sacred Nyepi Day.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, August 20, by a panel of judges chaired by Tjokorda Putra Budi Pastima in the case against Luzian Andrin Zgraggen.
After considering the case, the judges concluded that the defendant had been proven to have violated Article 301 paragraph (1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on Indonesia’s Criminal Code.
The court sentenced Zgraggen to one year in prison, a lighter sentence than the 15-month prison term previously sought by prosecutors.
According to the indictment presented by prosecutor Gusti Ayu Rai Artini, the case began after Zgraggen commented on Nyepi regulations in Bali, including restrictions requiring people to remain indoors and not travel outside during the Hindu Day of Silence.
The Swiss national later stated on social media that he would not comply with the Nyepi rules. The posts triggered public reaction and spread widely online.
Bali representative to Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council, Ni Luh Putu Ary Pertami Djelantik, responded to the posts and called Zgraggen to meet her. She later reported the case to the Bali Police.
Zgraggen was subsequently arrested when he came to Djelantik’s residence.
Prosecutors told the court that after the case went viral, Djelantik also urged the Bali Police and immigration authorities to take action against the defendant.
Following the public reaction and legal proceedings, Zgraggen became fearful and issued an apology.