Bali police have named a Swiss national with the initials LAZ as a suspect in a case involving alleged insults against the Hindu holy day of Nyepi, after a social media post went viral and sparked public outrage.
The case was formally escalated after a complaint was filed by DPD member Ni Luh Djelantik on Saturday morning, police said.
According to Bali Police public relations chief Sr. Comr. Ariasandy, the investigation began after an Instagram story from the account @luzzysun circulated online, featuring the phrase “Fuck Nyepi” alongside remarks mocking the Day of Silence in Bali.
The post triggered strong reactions on social media and prompted police to launch an intensive probe on Friday.
Police said investigators from the Cybercrime Directorate carried out profiling of the account and tracked the suspect’s whereabouts from Kuta to Ubud. After witness examinations and a case review later that day, officers agreed to elevate the case to the investigation stage and name the account owner a suspect at around 4 p.m. local time. A warrant for arrest was then issued, followed by questioning.
LAZ was subsequently detained at the Bali Police detention facility. Police said the suspect is being charged under Article 301 paragraph (1) of Law No. 1/2023 on the Criminal Code, which covers the dissemination of content through information technology that contains hatred or hostility toward groups based on religion or belief.
Ariasandy said the legal elements in the case had been fulfilled, citing the deliberate publication of insulting content through Instagram Story. He added that the post was considered provocative and offensive to Hindu religious observance during Nyepi, one of Bali’s most sacred annual rituals.
The incident has again drawn attention to the conduct of foreign visitors in Bali, where local authorities and community leaders have increasingly called for greater respect for cultural and religious norms. The case also comes amid broader public debate on how social media behavior by foreign nationals is handled in Indonesia.
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Viral Post Triggered Public Reaction
The case gained attention after Luzian’s post circulated widely on social media. In the post, he expressed objections to restrictions during Nyepi, when residents and visitors are required to remain indoors.
“A day of silence where you’re not allowed to go outside in Bali is pretty peaceful outside :), fuck Nyepi day and fuck your rules too,” Luzian wrote on Instagram.
Police stated that the content was considered offensive and potentially inciting hostility. The post prompted strong reactions from the public after it went viral online.
Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the legal process or potential penalties at this stage. The investigation remains ongoing.
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