Kompas.com reports that a Swiss national, Björn Medernach, has been deported from Bali in connection with illegal fundraising activities purportedly on behalf of stray dogs in Bali. The Swiss man’s fundraising efforts were undertaken without any formal affiliation with a national or international animal welfare organization.
Bjorn Medernach’s fundraising was done while the Swiss national was visiting Indonesia on a tourist visa-on-arrival, the use of which does not permit visitors to engage in paid or unpaid employment.
Haryo did not estimate the amount of money the Swiss tourist had collected in Bali using the guise of working to assist stray dogs.
The Swiss tourist was initially reported by the public for collecting “donations.” Further investigation by immigration officials resulted in the man’s arrest on 20 May 2025.
Guilty of violating the terms of his visa, the Swiss man was deported and recommended for blacklisting for future visits to Indonesia. The deportation was done using Qatar Airways bound for Doha and Zurich on Tuesday, 27 May 2025.
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