Czech nationals Sabina Dolezalova, second left, and her boyfriend Zdenek Slouka, right, at the Beji Temple, located inside a monkey sanctuary in Ubud. AFP
Czech nationals Sabina Dolezalova, second left, and her boyfriend Zdenek Slouka, right, at the Beji Temple, located inside a monkey sanctuary in Ubud. AFP
Czech nationals Sabina Dolezalova, second left, and her boyfriend Zdenek Slouka, right, at the Beji Temple, located inside a monkey sanctuary in Ubud. AFP
Czech nationals Sabina Dolezalova, second left, and her boyfriend Zdenek Slouka, right, at the Beji Temple, located inside a monkey sanctuary in Ubud. AFP

Backlash as influencer couple post video splashing themselves with holy water in Bali


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

An Instagram influencer couple who posted a video online of them splashing each other with holy water at a temple in Bali have come under fire from their followers.

In the now deleted clip, Sabina Dolezalova and Zdenek Slouka were seen visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, where they took water from a fountain and splashed it under each other's clothing.

The couple, who hail from the Czech Republic, have more than 80,000 followers, many of which quickly called them out and labelled their behavior disrespectful.

The now-deleted video shows the couple splashing each other with holy water. Instagram
The now-deleted video shows the couple splashing each other with holy water. Instagram

The video was later shared to Instagram by Balinese politician Arya Wedakarna, attracting hundreds of angry comments.

Dolezalova and Slouka have since issued an apology, saying that they did not realise the water in the temple was holy.

It is not the first time Instagram influencers have come under fire in recent months. Belgian couple Camille and Jean received criticism online after posting an "incredibly dangerous" photo showing them kissing as they dangled from the side of a moving train in Sri Lanka. While American influencer couple Kelly Castille and Kody Workman pulled a similar stunt from the side of an infinity pool in Bali, receiving backlash from followers.

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

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