Aussie man questioned by police over Bali 'orgasm retreat'
An "orgasm retreat" to be run in Bali by an Australian man has been canned after he was taken in for police questioning.
Andrew Irvine Barnes faced three hours of police questions on Friday night after local uproar at the type of retreat being run on the holiday island.
But he was not arrested and has been released. The workshop that he was to facilitate, which he told police was yoga, has since been cancelled.
The 50-year-old initially came to the attention of Immigration officials who were questioning him on Friday when police turned up and took him in.
Officials say Mr Barnes, described online as a facilitator of tantric sexuality and relationship retreats around the world, was due to run a four-day "Tantric full body energy orgasm retreat" at Ubud from Saturday.
It is understood Mr Barnes came to the notice of officials after a local politician and activist publicly questioned Immigration for allowing the man to run the class.
Bali's Law and Human Rights office chief, Jamaruli Manihuruk, said Immigration had been informed the retreat participants were paying $650 per person.
Officials met Mr Barnes on Friday afternoon and seized his passport.
"After we met him we were willing to take him to the Immigration office. However, around two minutes later police officers from Gianyar police station came to pick him up," Jamaruli told AAP.
"So he has been taken by police officers from Gianyar police for examination."
A Facebook page advertising the orgasm retreat says Mr Barnes facilitates tantric sexuality and relationship retreats worldwide.
"He has been exploring Tantric and Taoist practices for 28 years and has a Masters in Health Science - Sexual Health. He's the creator of Tantric Body De-Armouring and Tantric Full Body Energy Orgasm Retreats, which guide people in cultivating a profound depth of vibrancy and intimacy in their daily lives, relationships, sexuality and careers."
Gianyar police confirmed to AAP on Saturday that Mr Barnes was not arrested or detained and has been returned to his villa.
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