Swiss man jailed in Bali over Hindu holiday insult

A Swiss man has been sentenced to one year in prison in Indonesia for insulting Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence, while he was on holiday in Bali.

I Wayan Suarta, a spokesman for the court in Denpasar, said Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, was sentenced on Thursday after being found guilty under an Indonesian law against online hate speech.

Zgraggen was arrested in March after he was reported to police over an Instagram post in which he used expletives while denigrating Nyepi, the Balinese New Year holiday.

On Nyepi each year, the Hindu-majority island largely comes to a standstill. Work, travel, public entertainment and even electricity use are discouraged for locals and tourists.

Zgraggen's offence was punishable by up to five years in prison, but the court took into account his young age and good behaviour in court as mitigating factors.

The Swiss foreign ministry said the Swiss Embassy in Jakarta was in contact with competent authorities and was providing support under consular protection. The ministry said its travel information emphasises the need to respect local laws and religious and cultural customs.