Indonesian teacher convicted of sexual assault released early after BBC investigation

An investigation has uncovered a years-long cover-up at a prominent Islamic boarding school in Indonesia and the early release of a teacher convicted of sexual assault. The man, known as Behki, is the son of the school's founder. He was jailed in 2022 for sexually assaulting a student at the school.

The investigation found he was freed after serving less than half his sentence, after just three years. Undercover reporters recorded him as a free man at his home on Eid, where he was blessing visitors. The footage was shown to one of his accusers, Ira Puspita Sarri. She said: 'It's just a complete mockery of the law. He hasn't served his sentence.'

Indonesia's Ministry for Immigration and Corrections said he was given early parole because of legal sentence reductions. The allegations were put to Behki. He did not respond.

The case dates back to 2018, when he was first reported to police for sexual abuse at the Sadikia Islamic Boarding School. Years of resistance followed. The school and its founder, Behki's father, have thousands of loyal supporters. In 2022, he was finally arrested and put on trial for the rape of one student. He was convicted of the lesser charge of sexual assault and sentenced to seven years in prison.

The investigation says the allegations against him go much further. Ira Puspita Sarri has spoken publicly for the first time. She said she was raped for several years, starting when she was 15. 'I had to do whatever he wanted,' she said. 'If I refused, he would go into a total rage. I was hit repeatedly while he was having sex with me.' When she reported Behki to the police after leaving school, she faced intimidation from his supporters.

Another account in the report describes words a victim says were said during an attack: 'What I can never forget was he said while raping me again, don't you realize you're just my slave?' The report contains testimony that may distress viewers.

Indonesia's National Commission on Violence Against Women says sexual abuse in Islamic boarding schools has reached an emergency level. The investigation also found evidence that the school tried to suppress allegations.

Despite the early release, Ira has rebuilt her life with a family of her own. 'I'm going to prove that my life won't be ruined,' she said. 'I'll be more successful and I'll come back stronger.' But there are fears that pressure on victims to stay silent means the abuse cases emerging are only the tip of the iceberg.