Suspect in Pekalongan Santriwati Sexual Harassment Case Denies Allegations, Cites Insufficient Evidence

AKF, the suspect in the sexual harassment case involving santriwati at Padepokan Padang Ati in Buaran, Pekalongan, Central Java, has denied all allegations through his legal counsel. Arif NS, the lawyer, stated that during police questioning from Wednesday (27 May) afternoon to Thursday (28 May) early morning, his client rejected all accusations of sexual misconduct. Despite the denials, the Pekalongan City Police’s Reskrim Unit has formally named AKF as a suspect and placed him in custody after he answered 52 questions.

The police confirmed they have gathered two pieces of evidence and conducted a case review, asserting the suspect’s designation followed proper procedural steps. “The legal process has been followed correctly, and police have secured two pieces of evidence,” said Satreskrim Chief AK Setiyanto.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) clarified that the alleged perpetrator operates a padepokan (Islamic retreat) without an operational permit, not an official pesantren (Islamic boarding school). Meanwhile, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has responded to the case, which is part of a broader pattern of sexual violence in two similar cases at pesantren in Simbang Kulon, Pekalongan, and Ndolo Kusumo in Pati.

Additionally, a 22-year-old santriwati (F) has become a public figure due to her mysterious pregnancy linked to the case. The Padepokan Padang Ati has been fully suspended, and AKF faces up to 12 years in prison for alleged sexual abuse of dozens of students since 2008.