A Russian tourist was deported from Bali after a semi-naked photo he took on a sacred mountain went viral, leading to public debate about tourist behaviour. Bali has become a popular destination for Russians and Ukrainians escaping the horrors of war, but public resentment towards them has been rising, with complaints about tourists behaving badly increasing in recent weeks. Out of 40 foreign tourists deported from Bali between January and April this year, 14 were Russian – making up the largest group of foreign deportations, officials said.

A Russian tourist, Yuri Chilikin, has been deported from Bali following the publication on Instagram of a semi-naked picture depicting him drinking coffee on the summit of the island’s Mount Agung, considered sacred by locals. The posting sparked an angry reaction amid heated debate about misbehaving tourists. Chilikin has been barred from returning to Indonesia for at least six months. Bali’s authorities have deported 40 foreign tourists for breaches of regulations between January and April this year, with Russian visitors comprising the largest nationality at 35%. The island plays host to an estimated 43,000 Russian tourists each year. Bali governor Wayan Koster recently called for revocation of visa-on-arrival privileges for Russian and Ukrainian tourists.