Viral video shows Ponorogo kiai allegedly abusing dozens of male students

Videos of the pickup of a kiai in Jambon sub-district, Ponorogo, have gone viral on social media, alarming residents. The kiai is alleged to have sexually assaulted dozens of male santri who are under the age of 18. According to DetikJatim, in the circulating video, a man wearing a white peci, orange shirt, and sarong stands on the porch of a house. In front of him, dozens of people in police uniforms and black attire stand by to escort him away. The pickup scene is emotional; a woman allegedly the kiai’s wife is seen crying while hugging the man before he is taken away. The video’s caption states the man is a kiai in Jambon accused of abusing dozens of male santri. “Detik-detik penjemputan kyai di Jambon dugaan pencabulan belasan santri laki laki,” says the viral video caption.

The Ponorogo Police’s Chief of Criminal Investigation, AKP Imam Mujali, confirmed reports of alleged abuse against the santri. The case emerged after the police received complaints from the public via 110 service on Tuesday 19 May around 03:00 WIB. “Yes, we received information from the public regarding alleged abuse of a child in Ponorogo,” Imam said. After receiving the report, police went to the location mentioned in the complaint; investigators are continuing to delve and collect testimonies. “We are conducting checks and are still in the preliminary stage,” he said. He noted that the report was only received that morning, so the investigation is still in its early phase. Police have not yet confirmed the number of victims. “We are still establishing how many victims,” he added. Although the pickup video has gone viral, Imam denied that the alleged perpetrator has been arrested. He said the police are still confirming and coordinating in relation to the report. “The suspect has not been secured. We are still confirming and coordinating,” Imam concluded.

Victims’ Lawyer and Modus

Muhammad Ihsan Nurul Huda, the lawyer for the victims, said the case was uncovered after one male santri who had previously resided at the pondok reported it. According to Ihsan, 11 victims have been brought to Ponorogo Police for examination. Six victims are underage, while five are adults. All victims are male santri. “The accused is a kiai or pondok leader. The victims are santri living inside the pondok,” Ihsan stated. There are currently 19 male santri and 18 female santri residing at the pondok. Based on victims’ confessions to the law-side, sexual violence was experienced only by the male santri, while the female santri allegedly experienced physical violence. “The female santri never suffered sexual violence but experienced physical violence,” Ihsan added. Ihsan said the alleged acts have supposedly been ongoing since 2017, according to victims’ statements to the accompanying legal team. “The modus operandi is that the santri are called one by one and then asked to massage the Kiai. The santri are drawn to the pondok because schooling is free,” he explained. Families of the victims, Ihsan continued, do not accept the alleged acts and want to pursue legal action, especially since several victims are underage. These victims originate from Ponorogo, and from Central Java as well. Families want to take the case to the legal system. “The victims come from Ponorogo, and from Central Java as well. The families do not accept what happened and want to proceed legally,” he concluded.

This article originally appeared on detikJatim. Read more here!