Sampang Police Arrest 12 Suspects in Child Sexual Abuse Case

Sampang (ANTARA) - The Sampang Resort Police in East Java have arrested 12 suspects in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old child. Police are still pursuing 15 other individuals who have been placed on a wanted list.

Sampang Police Chief AKBP Hartono stated on Thursday that the 12 suspects arrested are part of a total of 27 individuals believed to be involved in the case. “The 12 suspects we have arrested are part of the total 27 perpetrators. The other 15 are still being pursued,” he said.

According to Hartono, the incident began in February 2026 when the victim was alone in the Jalan Suhadak area of Sampang City. The victim was approached by several perpetrators, persuaded, threatened, and then forced to comply with their demands. Police also suspect the victim was plied with alcoholic beverages before the sexual assault occurred.

Hartono stated that the alleged criminal acts took place in three locations: Panggung Village in Sampang District, Astapah Village in Omben District, and Madupat Village in Camplong District.

During the investigation, police arrested seven suspects on Monday (30/6), two suspects on Thursday (2/7), one suspect on Friday (3/7), and two more in subsequent arrests, bringing the total number of detained suspects to 12.

“We have already identified the identities of the perpetrators who are still at large and will continue to pursue them,” Hartono said.

The 12 suspects who have been detained are identified by the initials AR (17), MH (17), MA (15), AP (15), D (16), MR (17), R (42), MHA (13), MFS (13), AS (14), F (25), and AP (15).

The suspects are charged under Article 473 paragraph (2) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments, Article 20 of Law Number 11 of 2012, and Article 82 paragraphs (1) and (2) of Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection, which carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

The police chief urged parents to increase supervision of their children and called on the remaining fugitives to surrender immediately to the authorities.