Mass sex abuse allegations force closure of boarding school in Indonesia

Although several witnesses have retracted their statements against Ashari, one victim has officially complained and claims that up to 50 other students may have experienced his sexual violence. “The number of victims is between 30 and 50 children based on the victim’s account,” said the victim’s lawyer, Ali Yusron, to the BBC. “I have worked with one victim, but the legal process indicates many more. One person reveals everything.” On May 4, police announced that Ashari, named a suspect on April 28, had not yet been arrested but would not attempt to escape. However, he proved them wrong later that day by fleeing Pati and traveling to Bogor, Jakarta, and Solo. He was eventually apprehended by police on the night of May 6 at a mosque in Wonogiri, Central Java. Pati police chief Jaka Wahyudi informed reporters on May 7 that the victim reported being abused 10 times at various locations between February 2020 and January 2024. The suspect allegedly entered the victim’s room under the guise of requesting a massage, then instructed the victim to undress and engaged in inappropriate acts such as “touching, squeezing, and kissing.” After the tenth incident, the victim confided in their father, leading to a police report. This is not Ashari's first encounter with sexual abuse allegations involving his students. The caretaker, who also established the Ndholo Kusumo school, is believed to have a history of misconduct that dates back to 2022. “The victims are female students, mostly from MTs,” Ali said. “They change every year.” In 2024, Pati Police’s Women and Children’s Services Unit (PPA) received reports of alleged sexual crimes against minors, but some of those charges were later dismissed.