Allegations of Santri Harassment Lead to Syekh Ahmad Al Misry Being Named as Suspect
Preacher Syekh Ahmad Al Misry has been designated as a suspect after being reported to Bareskrim Polri over allegations of sexual harassment against santri. The suspect designation was made following a case review by investigators.
The victims’ legal representative, Benny Jehadu, at Bareskrim Polri on Thursday (12/3), revealed that the suspect often appears on television as a judge for Quran memorisation competitions. The report was filed on 28 November 2025.
“The suspect, initialled SAM, frequently features on a private TV programme,” said Benny Jehadu when met at Bareskrim Polri.
They have submitted several pieces of evidence confirming the criminal act. The evidence includes digital traces of conversations and an old video recording.
“The evidence we handed over to the investigators includes chat logs, videos, and several other items. The video appears to be from a tabayun session, where the perpetrator apologises to religious scholars,” explained another victims’ legal representative, Wati Trisnawati.
She stated that there is more than one victim of this indecent act. The victims include both females and males, both minors and adults.
“For our clients, there are currently five victims in this case. We have clearly stated that this involves sexual harassment not just against girls, but boys and same-sex individuals. There are minors and adults,” clarified Benny Jehadu.
The unlawful acts are believed to have occurred over a considerable period, spanning years. The incidents reportedly took place at various locations during police examinations.
“As for the timeline, it started around 2017, with different victims at different times. Some from 2017, 2018, up to 2025, but varying dates,” added Wati Trisnawati.
Syekh Ahmad Al Misry Breaks Silence
Preacher Syekh Ahmad Al Misry has spoken out regarding the allegations of harassment against santri. In a video uploaded to his Instagram account, Ahmad recounts departing for Egypt on 15 March to accompany his mother.
“I, Syekh Ahmad Al Misry, left for Egypt on 15 March 2026 and arrived on 16 March 2026 to accompany my mother who was ill and underwent surgery on 17 March 2026,” he said.
He mentioned receiving a police summons on 30 March 2026. At that time, Ahmad said, he was called as a witness.
“The police summons came about 15 days after I was in Egypt. I thank Bareskrim and the investigators for allowing my testimony online,” he stated.
“And this police summons was as a witness, not as a suspect as many have imagined or circulated. Secondly, the harassment allegations against santri are untrue,” Ahmad continued.
He Regards Harassment Allegations as Slander
He said he has handed over evidence to his legal team and urged people to verify circulating information first. Ahmad has also entrusted the alleged harassment case to his lawyers.
“Please verify because the evidence I have has been given to my legal team to submit to the authorities, and there are witnesses,” he said.
He expressed regret over ustaz who spread the information. He also deemed the circulating information as slander.
“And I ask the ustaz spreading this information, or slander, or accusations, to produce even one video. I issue a fatwa accordingly. By Allah, I have never issued such a fatwa, and this is a very cruel slander circulated on many social media platforms,” he said.
Ahmad also alluded to parties claiming to know him. According to him, those people have never met or communicated directly with him.
“And many say they know me and my character. Those people have never met me, not even communicated via WhatsApp,” he said.
“And it’s regrettable that many preachers spread such slanders without seeking clarification from me, even though they have my contact number,” Ahmad added.
Designated as Suspect
The Directorate of Child Protection and Population Crimes (PPA and PPO) at Bareskrim Polri has named preacher Syekh Ahmad Al Misry as a suspect in the alleged sexual harassment case. This reflects Polri’s commitment to protecting victims.
“Based on the case review by investigators regarding police report number LP/B/586/XI/2025/SPKT/Bareskrim Polri dated 28 November 2025, the investigators have named Mr SAM as a suspect,” said Karo Penmas of the Polri Public Relations Division, Brigjen Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, to reporters on Friday (24/4/2026).
The reporter in this case is initialled MMA. Investigators have issued a Notification of Investigation Progress (SP2HP) to the reporter, who is also a victim. The letter was officially signed by the investigator on 22 April 2026.
“The investigation progress has been notified to the reporter or victim via SP2HP number B/66/IV/Res.1.24/2026/Dittipid PPA and PPO to Mr MMA on 22 April 2026, signed by the investigator,” he explained.