Official arrested on charges of raping a minor

TANGERANG (JP): Local police have arrested the head of a district health agency here for allegedly raping his 14-year-old adopted daughter.

Junus, 40, was apprehended while on a government-sponsored course in Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday evening after his wife admitted her alleged role in aiding and abetting in the rape.

"Both of them admitted their alleged roles in the rape of the girl," Tangerang Police Chief Lt. Col. Djoko Satrio told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

The victim, Ria (not her real name), a junior high school student, told the police she had been raped at least three times by Junus with the help of his wife, identified only as Ti.

All the alleged crimes took place at the couple's house in the Keroncong Permai housing complex in Jatiuwung subdistrict, according to the teenager, Djoko said.

"The victim also said that she was often asked to watch the couple having sex," Djoko said. Ria was also told to watch X- rated videos with the couple, he added.

The officer said the victim, the eldest of five children of a late journalist, first reported the crime on Tuesday evening after escaping from the house.

She first told the chief of the Jatiuwung subdistrict who then took the case to the local police station. Detectives then went straight to Janus' house and questioned his wife, Djoko said.

"During the first questioning session, the woman denied the charges but admitted them a few hours later after we confronted her with the victim," he said.

Junus, who was seized the next day in Bandung, could not defend himself on account of his wife's confession.

According to the teenage victim, she was raped for the last time on Monday evening under the watchful eyes of Junus' wife.

Djoko quoted Ria as saying that as she screamed for help, Ti only pinned her down.

"I think this couple has a serious mental problem," the police officer commented.

After the rape, the couple did not allow the girl to leave the house, apparently in fear that she might report the incident to the police.

The arrest of the senior health officer and his wife sparked anger among Tangerang state employees yesterday.

"A few days ago, the health officer delivered a speech here telling his juniors how to be a model state employees and citizens," one said.

According to Djoko, his detectives have begun compiling evidence. Witnesses are now being sought in order to complete the dossiers.

While Junus is being detained at the Tangerang police precinct his wife is being kept temporarily at the local Women's Penitentiary.

The teenage victim, whose family lives in a nearby village, was adopted recently by the couple. (bsr)