An influencer is facing up to six years behind bars and a hefty fine after posing for revealing photos with a sacred tree on the Indonesian island of Bali.
The Russian woman - who goes by the username @alina_yogi on Instagram - posed naked for a series of saucy snaps in which she pressed her body against the 700-year-old tree, known locally as kayu putih.
According to The Sun, Alina - who has amassed more than 18,000 followers on the platform - was reported to local authorities by Balinese entrepreneur Niluh Djelanktik, who became outraged after she spotted Alina's photoshoot on social media.
In a post to her Instagram account ast week, Djelanktik shared a snippet of Alina's nude imagery to her 364,000 followers and asked her fans to provide any other photos they may have of the influencer to local police.
A rough translation of Djelantik's post read: "[Those] who follow Alina's account, please send photos of her... to hand over to the authorities. Thank you."
In an update, the entrepreneur claimed Alina's whereabouts were being investigated by the Immigration Office and Indonesia's Ministry of Law and Human Rights had been informed of the incident.
The influencer could allegedly face up to six years in jail for "spreading pornography" under Indonesia's strict Information and Electronic Transactions Act (ITE). She may also be fined the equivalent of nearly NZ$100,000.
According to reports, the tree - a weeping paperbark located at Babakan Temple in the regency of Tabana - is regarded as sacred, with Alina's images considered highly offensive among locals. Although the controversial snaps have since been deleted, screenshots show Alina leaning her naked body against the trunk of the tree, with her leg resting in one of its winding roots.
Following the backlash, Alina reportedly filmed an apology and shared it to her account, which has since been made private.
"I apologise to all Balinese and Indonesian people. I regret my actions," she said in the clip.
According to media outlets who viewed the video, Alina returned to the tree to recite her apology - this time fully clothed. The video also showed the influencer bowing down at the base of the weeping paperbark in prayer.
"I'm so embarrassed, I didn't mean to offend you in any way. [I have] absolutely no knowledge of this place," she continued.
"I just prayed under [the] tree and went straight to the police station to explain this incident and apologise."
A day later, Alina reportedly shared a second apology in which she argued there was a lack of signage signalling which spots in Bali are considered sacred, implying that foreigners aren't given sufficient warning of the correct protocol.
"I appeal to my friends and all the guests of Bali. I unknowingly made a big mistake for which I regret and I want to tell you so that you don't repeat it," she wrote, according to outlets who viewed the post.
"There are a lot of sacred places in Bali and not all of them have information signs about it, as in my case. And it is very important to treat these places and traditions with respect.
"I love Bali with all my heart and once again I apologise to all residents of Bali and ask for forgiveness."
A spokesperson for the Tabanan Police confirmed to The Sun that Alina has made contact with authorities and the case is currently being reviewed. The spokesperson did not elaborate on the punishment the influencer may face for the raunchy pictures.
