Jakarta, Apr 5 (EFE).- The Indonesian authorities have deported a Russian tourist from Bali who stood half naked below the waist in a photograph atop Mount Agung, considered sacred in the primarily Hindu culture of the island.
In a statement on Wednesday, Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the tourist was deported because he committed a “disgraceful act, deliberately pulling down his pants and showing his genitals in front of Mount Agung.”
The tourist was sent back Tuesday, the Balinese Immigration Office said in a statement.
The statement warned visitors: “Enjoy the beauty of Bali, but if you break the rules we won’t hesitate to take action.”
The tourist, who has since apologized, was photographed standing atop the sacred site with his pants and underwear pulled down.
Hindus on the island believe that the mount is abode of their gods.
The image went viral on social media amid a drive launched by the Bali government against the so-called uncivil behavior of foreigners.
“If there are behaviors that are not in line with local or national norms, and with Balinese culture in particular (…), firm measures will be taken,” the governor said in the statement.
Before his deportation, the Russian traveler had to attend a purification ceremony on the Hindu-majority island in the most populous Muslim-majority country.
With his repatriation, the number of travelers deported from Bali since January has gone up to 72. Twenty of them are Russians, immigration sources on the island told EFE.
The deportations came as Bali took measures to curb tourist misbehavior.
The island authorities plan to ban foreigners from riding motorbikes after several people were found violating traffic rules.
The Balinese authorities have also asked the Indonesian government to study revoking the arrival visa for Russian and Ukrainian tourists, denouncing that the war has led citizens of these nationalities to work in Bali illegally.
Russia and Ukraine are among the 86 countries whose citizens can apply for a visa on arrival in Bali. EFE
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