Russian influencer and partner expelled from Bali for nude photo on sacred tree

A Russian influencer and her partner will be deported from the Indonesian island of Bali for a nude photo of the young woman on a sacred tree in violation of local cultural norms, Indonesian immigration officials announced on Friday.

Alina Fazleeva, who has thousands of Instagram followers, posed nude on a 700-year-old banyan tree at a temple site in Tabanan district.

The photo, which was taken by her husband Andrei Fazleev, was posted on Instagram where it went viral, sparking outrage among local Hindus.

“It has been established that both have carried out activities that endanger public order and do not respect local standards“, told the press Jamaruli Manihuruk, head of immigration services in Bali.

The couple “will be sanctioned by being expelled“, he added.

© Belga

The two Russians will be banned from Indonesia for at least six months, and will also have to participate in a purification ceremony at the sacred site in accordance with local beliefs, he said.

Alina Fazleeva apologized on her Instagram account, acknowledging that she had made “a big mistake”.

“There are many sacred places in Bali and not all of them are marked as such, as was the case for me“, she added, while emphasizing: “It is very important to treat these places and traditions with respect”.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has warned that his administration will no longer tolerate tourists who disrespect the local culture, where the Hindu religion is predominant.

Nearly 200 people have been expelled from the island of Bali, a cult tourist destination, for breaking anti-Covid regulations.

In April, Indonesian authorities moved to deport a Canadian actor and self-proclaimed wellness guru who posted a video showing him dancing naked on Mount Batur, a volcano in Bali considered sacred. The Canadian was doing a haka, a Maori ritual dance from New Zealand, completely naked.