Influencer banned from Bali after naked photo shoot on sacred tree

Social media star Alina Fazleeva, who posed naked alongside a sacred tree, has been deported and banned from Bali following outrage over the lewd image.

The popular Russian Instagram star who posed naked while in Bali has been deported and banned from returning to the popular holiday island.

Alina Fazleeva, a yoga influencer who goes by the name Alina Yoga, shared nude pictures of her pushing her boobs up against the sacred 700-year-old Banyan tree in Indonesia on her popular social media account.

As a result of the image and subsequent post, both Ms Fazleeva and her husband Andrey Fazleeva have been deported and banned from re-entry to the island for six months.

The tree, which is located at Babakan Temple in Tabanan on the Indonesian paradise island of Bali, is considered sacred to locals.

Alina posing naked on an ancient tree considered sacred in Bali, in May, 2022. (Newsflash) Picture: Newsflash/Australscope

The nude image originally gained the attention of Balinese entrepreneur, Niluh Djelantik, who called on the local authorities to intervene.

Following the public backlash over the image, the influencer deleted the images and posted an apology video, which showed her fully clothed and praying at the base of the sacred tree while she stated her “regret”.

“I apologise to all Balinese and Indonesian people, I regret my actions,” she said. “I’m so embarrassed, I didn’t mean to offend you in any way, absolutely no knowledge of this place.

“I just prayed under a tree and went straight to the police station to explain this incident and apologise.”

Fazleeva (C) and her husband at a press conference in Denpasar, Bali. Picture: Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP

The influencer and her husband have been deported. Picture: Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP

According to reports, Alina could be charged with spreading pornography under the country’s harsh Information and Electronic Transactions Act. If convicted of spreading pornography, she could face up to six years in prison or a fine of IDR 1 billion ($A97,108).

In a press conference and subsequent statement, Bali immigration chief, Jamaruli Manihuruk, said both Alina and her husband, Andrey Fazleeva, have now been deported.

“They have carried out activities that endangered public order and were disrespectful to the local norms, so they are sanctioned with deportation,” he said.

“Their names will be included in an entry ban list.”

Alina apologised after a photo surfaced showing her posing naked on an ancient tree considered sacred in Bali. Picture: Newsflash/Australscope

In a social media update on Sunday, Fazleeva said she and her partner have finally returned to Moscow. “Now we are already in Moscow, I am coming to my senses and when I am ready, I will tell you what really happened,” she scribed in both Russian and Indonesian.

“We are grateful for all the words of support that we received from the people of Bali and the island for everything that He gave us.”

AFP also noted that Bali deported almost 200 people last year for several reasons, including violating Covid-19 restrictions and disrespecting the country’s traditions and customs.

– With the New York Post