A 26-year-old Swiss national, Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, has been sentenced to one year in prison in Indonesia for insulting a Hindu religious day while on holiday in Bali.

The court in Denpasar found him guilty under a law against online hate speech.

Zgraggen was arrested in March after an Instagram post in which he used strong language to criticise Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence that marks the Balinese New Year.

On that day, the island largely comes to a standstill, with work, travel, entertainment and even electricity use discouraged for both locals and visitors.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. However, the court considered his young age and good behaviour during the proceedings as mitigating factors when handing down the one-year sentence.

Swiss authorities confirmed they are providing consular support to their national. The Swiss Embassy in Jakarta is in contact with the relevant authorities and is assisting him within the framework of consular protection, including information on possible transfer to Switzerland.

Bali attracts millions of foreign visitors each year but has seen several recent cases involving tourists who breached local laws or cultural norms. Indonesian officials regularly remind visitors of the need to respect religious and cultural customs on the island.