TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bali Immigration officers arrest three foreign nationals from Russia for allegedly dancing and posing inappropriately at the Pengubengan Temple, Besakih, Karangasem Regency, Bali, which is considered sacred by the local people.

“We seriously respond to public reports,” Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office, Hendra Setiawan, said on Monday, May 1.

The three Russian foreigners were apprehended at around 11:00 Bali time in Ubud, Gianyar. The two are female, IN and ML, 35 years old, and the other one is male SN, 37 years old.

At present, they are at the Singaraja Immigration Office for further examination and awaiting the results of coordination with the Besakih Temple management. Hendra did not explain further about their behaviors which were deemed inappropriate.

Pengubengan Temple is part of the Besakih Temple complex which is the largest temple complex on the Island of the God and is located at the foot of Mount Agung.

The temple has a central role in a number of important ceremonies in Bali, including for climbers of Mount Agung. Its location is the highest among the other temples so tourists can see the beautiful view of the island from a height.

Previously, Denpasar Immigration arrested and deported a Russian citizen for taking nude photos in the temple area in Tabanan Regency. Based on the records of the Bali Regional Office of the Law and Human Rights Ministry, Bali Immigration has deported a total of 96 foreigners, from January 2 to April 17, 2023.

Meanwhile, since international gates reopened in Bali following the COVID-19 pandemic in May-December 2022, Bali Immigration had deported 194 foreigners. The three most common violations committed by foreign nationals on the island are exceeding the residence permit, violating legal norms, and misusing residence permits.

ANTARA

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