One Suspect in Child Sexual Abuse Case Detained, Indonesian Idol 2025 Alumnus Required to Report to Police

The Belu Police have detained one suspect in a child sexual abuse case involving a 16-year-old victim, which occurred on January 9, 2026.

The suspect, identified as RM, 22, had fled to Timor Leste and was arrested on Monday (February 23).

“Today, RM, who was previously on the wanted list, was detained after questioning at 2:30 PM local time,” said the Head of Public Relations at the Belu Police, Iptu Agus Haryono, on Wednesday (February 25).

Meanwhile, the other suspect, PK, 23, an alumnus of Indonesian Idol 2025, was not detained. “He was not detained due to his cooperative attitude during the investigation. PK’s parents will act as guarantors during the investigation process, and he is required to report to the Child and Family Protection Unit (PPA) of the Belu Police twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday,” he said.

The other suspect, RS, has not yet responded to the police summons and will be summoned again. “RS will be summoned for the second time,” he explained.

In this case, investigators from the Belu Police are applying Article 473 paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code, as amended by Law Number 1 of 2026 on Amendments to Criminal Law, or Article 81 paragraph (2) of Indonesian Law Number 17 of 2016 on Child Protection, with a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, as well as Article 415 paragraph b of the Criminal Code, with a maximum prison sentence of 9 years. (I-2)