Singer Piche Kota Formally Detained in High School Student Rape Case
Singer and top-six Indonesian Idol 2025 finalist Petrus Yohanes Debrito Armando Jaga Kota, known as Piche Kota, has been formally remanded in custody at the Belu Police detention facility following charges related to the rape and sexual assault of a high school student in Atambua. Piche was placed in detention on Wednesday, 11 March, at 01:30 local time, after being declared fit for custody by medical staff at Gabriel Manek General Hospital in Atambua. His detention had previously been suspended whilst he received medical treatment following his arrest on Saturday, 28 February.
The Head of Belu Police, AKBP I Gede Eka Putra Astawa, confirmed that Piche had been medically cleared and formally detained. According to Astawa’s statement, investigators from the Criminal Investigation Unit have executed the detention after completing preliminary investigations related to the complaint filed by a 16-year-old high school student with initials ACT.
Two associates of Piche, identified as Roy and Rifle, have also been detained as suspects in the same case and are currently held at the Belu Police detention facility. The case files for Roy and Rifle have been forwarded to the Atambua State Prosecutor’s Office for further examination.
The alleged rape occurred on Sunday, 11 January, at approximately 16:00 local time in a hotel room in Tenukik Village, Atambua City District, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. According to initial investigation findings, the incident began when the victim and the three suspects were drinking alcohol in a hotel room. The suspects allegedly assaulted the victim whilst she was in an unconscious state.
Prosecutors are applying multiple charges against all three suspects, carrying a potential maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment. These charges include Article 473(4) of the Indonesian Criminal Code as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Sanctions Adjustment, or Article 81(2) of Law No. 17 of 2016 on Child Protection, both carrying sentences of up to 15 years, or Article 415(b) of the Indonesian Criminal Code, carrying a sentence of up to nine years.
Police Chief Astawa called for public calm and urged citizens to allow the police to handle the investigation, warning against spreading unverified information and rumours.