An American tourist, Karl Adolf Amrhein, was detained after being spotted walking during Nyepi in Sukawati village. m. on March 20.
Amrhein told officers he had been forced to leave his hotel in Ubud. Gianyar Police Chief AKBP Chandra Kesuma said Amrhein's stay at the hotel had expired. Amrhein checked into a new hotel after being warned by police against further violations.
Nyepi is a sacred Hindu celebration where the entire island shuts down for 24 hours, requiring everyone to stay indoors with travel, noise, and most activities banned. Hotels are required by law to inform guests about Nyepi. Foreigners who break Nyepi regulations could face deportation and being banned from returning.
The tourist is believed to be from Switzerland. The tourist later turned himself in, according to Balinese senator Niluh Djelantik. It remains unclear whether the incidents reported involve the same person or different individuals.
The exact charges or legal consequences the tourist(s) will face have not been confirmed. The current status or location of the detained tourist(s) is unknown.