Former National Climbing Coach Named Suspect in Sexual Violence Case

The Directorate of Crimes Against Women and Children and People Trafficking (PPA-PPO) at the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) has named a former head coach of the national sport climbing team, identified by the initials HB, as a suspect in an alleged case of sexual abuse or sexual violence against five female athletes.

HB was named a suspect based on police report number LP/B/101/III/2026/SPKT/Bareskrim Polri dated 3 March 2026. The complainant in the case is SD, acting as legal counsel.

“The suspect is HB, who served as coach from 2022 to 2024 and as Head Coach of the National Training Centre for the Indonesian Sport Climbing Federation in 2025,” said Brigadier General Nurul Azizah, Director of PPA-PPO at Bareskrim Polri, during a press conference at Bareskrim Polri on Wednesday (19/8).

Nurul explained that the alleged sexual violence took place on Jalan Harapan Indah Boulevard, Medan Satria, Bekasi City, West Java, as well as in several countries during international competitions. The incidents occurred repeatedly from 2022 until December 2025.

“The modus operandi was that HB exploited his position of power, the unequal relationship, and the vulnerability of the victims by persuading them and committing physical sexual harassment,” said Nurul.

Nurul stated that investigators have examined 18 witnesses in the case, including the complainant, the victims, related witnesses, two medical examination experts, one psychiatric expert, one criminal law expert, and one expert on sexual violence offences.

In addition, Nurul said investigators have also seized a number of items of evidence, including documents, electronic evidence or chat records, and the suspect’s statement.

For his actions, the suspect is charged under Article 6 letter c in conjunction with Article 15 paragraph 1 letters c and e of Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes.

“The penalty under Article 6 letter c is a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and/or a maximum fine of 300 million rupiah. This is then increased under Article 15 paragraph 1 letters c and e, which adds one-third of the principal penalty,” said Nurul.

Nurul further stated that investigators have transferred the suspect and evidence in the case to the Bekasi District Prosecutor’s Office on 13 July 2026. The suspect is currently undergoing trial.