Police on Case of Pati Pesantren Founder Stalled in 2024: There Were Obstacles

Police have spoken out regarding the case of sexual assault involving dozens of female students at a pesantren, perpetrated by its founder, AS, which has been stalled since 2024. The Head of Operations at Pati Police Resort, AKP Dwi Atma Yofi Wirabrata, confirmed there were obstacles in handling the sexual assault case against AS. However, he declined to provide detailed information on the nature of these obstacles that led to the case stalling. “Of course, at its core, this case continues to progress. Although there are obstacles, we will report them later, and they have already been addressed, but the main point is that the case is proceeding and will reach its final stage,” stated Yofi during a press conference at the Pati Regency Office on Sunday (3/5). He revealed that AS has officially been designated as a suspect in the alleged sexual assault case on 28 April. Reasons for not detaining him On the other hand, the Head of Criminal Investigation at Pati Police Resort, Kompol Dika Hadian Widya Wiratama, provided reasons why the perpetrator has not yet been detained. He argued that the examination of AS prior to arrest is a constitutional obligation to ensure due process of law and the protection of human rights. “Based on Constitutional Court Decision No. 21/PUU-XII/2014, the designation of a suspect must be supported by at least two valid pieces of evidence and an examination of the individual concerned,” explained Dika. “This step ensures the accuracy of identity, objectivity of proof, and prevents procedural flaws that could risk pre-trial motions,” he continued. Dika argued that in this case, they are emphasising professional examination so that it cannot be challenged legally. “The main point is that the initial examination is a form of professional caution to ensure every coercive measure is lawful, measured, and indisputable in court,” he explained. According to him, the suspect was previously cooperative when summoned. The suspect always appeared accompanied by legal counsel (PH). “In previous summons, the suspect and PH always appeared when called,” said Dika. AS is known to have founded the pesantren located in Tlogowungu Subdistrict, Pati, in 2021. The pesantren currently has 252 students, of which 112 are female students. The alleged harassment case came to light after a graduate victim spoke out about the indecent treatment by the suspect. The report was submitted by the victim to the Pati Regency Social Services, Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, and Family Planning Office (Dinsos P3AKB) in September 2024. The case has also been reported to the authorities. However, more than a year later, there has been no progress in the legal proceedings of the case. The Head of the Women’s and Children’s Protection Unit (UPTD PPA), Hartono, stated that it was only on Monday (27/4) that the police finally conducted a crime scene investigation. There were four locations for the crime scene processing, such as the girls’ dormitory, learning room, and two kiai rooms. “There are four crime scene locations: at the girls’ dormitory, learning area, and two kiai rooms,” he said. Now, the police claim that AS will be forcibly apprehended after he failed to appear for examination as a suspect.