(Vancouver) A Vancouver man faces deportation from Bali, Indonesia, over allegations he danced naked on a sacred volcano in violation of that country’s laws.
Posted at 2:47 p.m.
According to the translation of a press release from the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights, 33-year-old Jeffrey Douglas Craigen is accused of having made an “immoral video on Mount Batur”, and of seriously undermining to Balinese culture.
“The Ministry’s Regional Director in Bali, Jamaruli Manihuruk, said that if the said foreigner is found guilty of this violation, administrative immigration action will be taken against him in the form of deportation,” the statement said.
“An immigration officer has the power to take administrative action against foreign citizens who engage in dangerous activities on Indonesian territory and are considered a threat to public safety and order, or in violation of regulations and laws. laws. »
Global Affairs Canada said in a statement Friday that Ottawa is aware of an incident involving a Canadian in Indonesia. Consular officials were in contact with local authorities over the matter, it said. For reasons of confidentiality, no other information could be disclosed.
PHOTO HO, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Jeffrey Douglas Craigen, 33 years old
The Indonesian Embassy in Canada did not return requests for comment.
In a video that had been posted on Mr. Craigen’s Instagram account, but which has since been deleted, he was seen performing the ceremonial Maori haka dance, naked, on Mount Batur, an active volcano believed to be a site sacred in Indonesia.
The statement from the Indonesian authorities said Mr Craigen wanted to reapply for a visa and that his passport had been seized. He was asked to report to the immigration office in Denpasar on Monday, it was added.
While Indonesian authorities have not specified where he is being held, Mr Craigen, an actor and so-called “mind-body healer”, said he was “in immigration”.
In a separate 18-minute video, posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Mr Craigen explains that he did not mean to offend Maori or disrespect Balinese. He maintains that he “doesn’t really know” what he “or didn’t” do.
“My intention was just to feel alive because I felt dead inside for so long,” he says.
In 2015, two Saskatchewan residents were detained in Malaysia following allegations that they posed naked on Mount Kinabalu, the country’s highest peak, days before a magnitude 5 earthquake struck. 9 only kills 18 climbers on this mountain.