Topics: News, World News, Crime, Travel
A Russian tourist is soon to be deported after taking an x-rated photo at a sacred site in Bali.
The man, identified only as Yuri, posed completely naked from the waist down on the highest point on the island up on Mount Agung, which is widely believed by Hindus to be the home of the gods.
Indonesian authorities said that Yuri's behaviour showed 'no respect' for Balinese culture and customs.
Watch his response below:
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Mount Agung, a volcano, is said to be the most sacred mountain in the whole of Bali.
Hindu Balinese believe that the peak is home to Mahadewa, the supreme manifestation of Lord Shiva, considered by many as the most superior of all gods.
Anyone who wishes to climb the culturally-significant mountain requires a permit to do so.
The travel photo in question shows Yuri standing on top of the mountain with his arms spread wearing a black hoodie and literally nothing else.
With his pants hanging down by his ankles, the tourist faced the mountain range with his rear facing the camera.
His now-deleted Instagram post ended up going viral online over the past week and for all the wrong reasons.
That wasn't Yuri's only faux pas as the traveller also reportedly climbed Mount Agung alongside six other tourists without any permission.
The photo caused a storm across the island as well as social media with many flooding into Yuri's comment section to share their outrage over the post.
"He violated norms and showed no respect for our culture," Bali Law and Human Rights Office head Anggiat Napitupulu told The Jakarta Post.
Yuri has since removed the offensive post and instead replaced it with an apology video pinned to the top of his page.
He captioned the video: "I want to apologize for my actions that desecrated the sacred volcano for the local population.
"There is no excuse for my actions," the Russian tourist continued, "the only thing that led to what happened was my personal ignorance. Ignorance of the peculiarities of the local religion."
Yuri ended the post claiming: "I am ready to take part and financially support the ceremony of offerings to the gods."
While he has since apologised for mooning the mountain, Yuri will now be barred from re-entering Indonesia for at least the next six months and has been permitted to stay for a short time while he promotes 'good behaviour'.
The Bali Sun reported: "Although Yuri said that he was prepared to be deported should that be a suitable punishment for his actions, it appears at this stage that he will be permitted to remain in Indonesia and play an active role in promoting good behavior by becoming a model tourist."
At the time of writing, no final decision has been made on whether the tourist will be deported from the island.
UNILAD has reached out to Yuri for comment.
