Lecherous Kiai in Pati Faces Multiple Charges, Risks 15 Years in Prison

Pati City Police (Polresta Pati) have imposed multiple charges on Ashari bin Karsana, the founder of Pondok Pesantren Ndholo Kusumo. The 51-year-old man has been named a suspect in the alleged sexual abuse of several female students.

Pati Police Chief Kombes Pol Jaka Wahyudi revealed that Ashari faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years for the alleged sexual abuse of the female students. He has also been charged under Article 76 letter e in conjunction with Article 83 of Law Number 17 of 2016 on Child Protection.

“The maximum prison sentence is 15 years,” said Kombes Pol Jaka Wahyudi during a press conference at Polresta Pati headquarters in Pati, Central Java, on Thursday (7/5/2026).

He added that Ashari has been charged under Article 6 letter c in conjunction with Article 15 paragraph (1) letter e of Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes, with a maximum penalty of 12 years.

“The third charge is under Article 418 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code for child rape, with a maximum penalty of 12 years,” said Jaka.

During the press conference at Polresta Pati, Jaka explained the construction of the case involving the alleged sexual abuse and sexual violence committed by Ashari against a female student with the initials FA.

According to the Pati Police Chief, Ashari carried out his depraved acts at Ponpes Ndholo Kusumo from February 2020 to January 2024.

“The acts were committed by the perpetrator against the victim 10 times at different locations by luring the victim under the pretext of requesting a massage and entering the victim’s room. Then, the victim was told to remove her clothes, after which the perpetrator committed the sexual abuse,” said Jaka in his explanation.

Not only touching and kissing, Ashari also instructed the victim to touch his genitals. In committing the sexual abuse, Ashari used religious doctrines that essentially stated that students must obey their teacher.