Indonesian Idol Contestant Piche Kota Named Suspect in Sexual Abuse Case Involving High School Student, Two Accomplices at Large
Belu — Shocking news has emerged from East Nusa Tenggara. Singer and Indonesian Idol 2025 contestant Petrus Yohanes Debrito Armando Jaga Kota, known as Piche Kota, has been named a suspect in a case of alleged sexual abuse against a high school student in Belu Regency.
The designation was made by the Women and Children Protection Unit of the Belu Police Criminal Investigation Division following an investigation and case review. Piche Kota was not alone — two other men, Roy Mali and Rivan, were also named as suspects, bringing the total number of suspects in the case to three.
“Belu Police have named three suspects in a case of alleged sexual assault against a child, based on the results of the investigation conducted,” said Belu Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner I Gede Eka Putra Astawa, as quoted on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
However, the two other suspects are known to have absconded and are now on the police wanted list (DPO). Authorities are still pursuing both individuals. The case review to determine suspect status was held on Thursday, 19 February 2026, at Belu Police headquarters.
The process was carried out after the elements of the criminal offence were deemed to have been met and sufficient evidence was considered available in accordance with criminal procedural law. Investigators also coordinated with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and received assistance from the Women and Children Protection Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police.
The alleged sexual abuse was reported to have occurred on Sunday, 11 January 2026, at approximately 4:00 PM local time, at a hotel in Tenukiik Sub-district, Kota Atambua District, Belu Regency.
At the time, the victim, identified by the initials ACT, was allegedly consuming alcoholic beverages with the suspects. The alleged sexual assault is said to have occurred whilst the victim was not fully conscious.
In this case, Piche Kota and the other suspects have been charged under two separate articles. The first is Article 81 Paragraph (2) of Law Number 17 of 2016 on the Enactment of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 1 of 2016, the second amendment to Law Number 23 of 2002 on Child Protection. The second is Article 473 Paragraph (2) letter b of Law Number 1 of 2023 (National Criminal Code), which specifically regulates the criminal offence of sexual intercourse with a minor.
“The application of the articles was based on the results of the investigation and sufficient evidence. We ensure that the legal process is conducted professionally and in accordance with applicable regulations,” he stated.