Bali Prosecutors Seek 15 Months’ Jail for Swiss Man Who Defamed Bali on Official Day of Silence
DETIK reports that State Prosecutors have asked a three-judge panel in Denpasar, Bali, to hand down a 15-month prison sentence to Luzian Andrin Zgraggen (26) for violating Article 301 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) by posting comments online that defamed Bali Hindu religious sensitivities and denigrated “Nyepi,” the official day of silence in Bali.
Public Prosecutor Febrina Irlanda, in seeking the jail term, told the Court on Monday, 13 July 2026: “We declare that the defendant Luzian Andrin Zgraggen has been legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing the crime of broadcasting, displaying, posting writing or images, or playing a recording, including disseminating through information technology means, as referred to in Article 300, with the intent of making the contents known or more widely known to the public.”
Concluding her comments before the Court, the prosecutor then asked the panel of judges to sentence him to one year and three months in prison, minus the time already served in detention.
In addition to the prison sentence, the Prosecutor asked the panel of judges to order that Luzian remain in detention. The black iPhone 16 used by Zgraggen in the commission of his crime was also requested to be confiscated by the State.
“Fuck Nyepi Day and fuck your rules too.“
Rude & Offensive Posting on Instagram by Swiss National Luzian Andrin Zgraggen
The case originated when Luzian uploaded a video to his Instagram Story account, @luzzysun, on Nyepi Day in March 2026. In the post, he wrote, “Fuck Nyepi Day and fuck your rules too.” The post was then shared across several social media accounts, went viral, and sparked harsh criticism from the Balinese public.
Regional Representative Council (DPD) Member Ni Luh Djelantik Refused Peaceful Settlement with Luzian Andrin Zgraggen
Among those who highlighted the post was Regional Representative Council (DPD) Member Ni Luh Djelantik. After receiving numerous public complaints, Ni Luh Djelantik re-uploaded a screenshot of the video and demanded that authorities, including the Bali Regional Police, Bali Immigration, and the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), take stern action against the perpetrator.
According to the written indictment, Luzian then contacted Ni Luh to apologize and seek protection, claiming he had received significant criticism on social media. Ni Luh invited Luzian to come to her residence in Tumbak Bayuh, Mengwi.
Upon arrival at the location, personnel from the Bali Regional Police Cyber Directorate detained Luzian for questioning. A day later, Ni Luh also reported the case to the Bali Regional Police, precipitating a legal process that has led to Luzian being named a suspect, held in jail pending trial, and facing current legal proceedings before the Denpasar District Court.
The next step in Zgraggen’s legal ordeal will be his formal defense statement (pleidoi) before the panel of judges, after which the panel will render a verdict.
Luzian Andrin Zgraggen’s final sentence could conceivably include deportation from Indonesia after his prison sentence is served and permanent blacklisting from the Republic.
Related Links
Insulting Bali and the Balinese Online, Swiss Tourist Arrested in Bali
Wikpedia on Nyepi
Wikipedia: Fuck as a Vulgar and Offensive Term
The Do’s and Don’ts of Nyepi Day in Bali
Nyepi: A Millennium & More of Bali Silence
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