Remember Mas Bechi? The Convict in the Student Molestation Case Has Been Free Since August 2025

Moch Subchi Azal Tsani, alias Bechi, the convict in the sexual violence case against a student, has reportedly been released. The son of the founder of the Shiddiqiyyah Islamic boarding school in Jombang, East Java, has been on parole since August 2025.

This news has been confirmed by the Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjen PAS) under the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services (Imipas). Budi W, Chairman of the Public Communication Working Group of Ditjen PAS, stated that Bechi officially received parole on 20 August 2025.

“The release is based on the Decree of the Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services Number PAS-1429.PK.05.03 of 2025, dated 15 August 2025,” said Budi W on Monday, 21 September 2026.

Bechi was previously sentenced to seven years in prison for the sexual violence case involving a student. The case drew significant public attention in 2022 when police surrounded the pesantren (Islamic boarding school) area to arrest him.

With a seven-year sentence, Bechi’s term was originally expected to continue until 2029. However, Ditjen PAS emphasised that Bechi’s current status is not full release, but rather parole.

Budi explained that parole is granted after a prisoner meets the requirements in accordance with statutory regulations. “His status is Parole, not full release. Parole is granted based on the provisions of the prevailing laws and the requirements that must be met by the inmates,” he said.

Under parole status, prisoners become Correctional Clients. They remain under the guidance and supervision of the Correctional Centre (Bapas) and have obligations to fulfil, including mandatory reporting.

Ditjen PAS also ensured that there was no special treatment in the granting of the integration programme to Bechi. “Imipas ensures there is no special treatment for the individual concerned. Every inmate who meets the requirements for the integration programme is processed according to the applicable regulations,” he added.

It was previously reported that the Surabaya High Court Panel of Judges upheld the seven-year prison sentence against Mohammad Subchi Azal Tsani, alias Mas Bechi, the defendant in the molestation case involving a female student. This decision was identical to the verdict from the Surabaya District Court.

In decision number 1401/PID/2022/PT sby dated 2 February 2023, it was stated that the Surabaya High Court Panel of Judges upheld the Surabaya District Court’s ruling, declaring that the defendant, Mas Bechi, was proven legally and convincingly to have committed the acts as charged.