Woman reports lover for assault, abuse

JAKARTA (JP): A 21-year-old woman, who claims to have been battered and sexually assaulted by her clandestine lover, has brought her case to the city police.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. A. Latief Rabar said yesterday that the woman, identified only as SL, decided to report the case because she could no longer stand being beaten by her clandestine lover, a 33-year-old lawyer who claimed to be running a law office in Central Jakarta.

During the visit to city police headquarters, SL was accompanied by a neighbor who helped her escape from the nightmare that took place at her home in Kedawung Wetan, Tangerang.

"She is currently undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Tangerang," said Latief, adding that the woman suffered minor injuries to her face, hands and feet.

It is reported that the lawyer, identified as IAR, had repeatedly beaten SL and bound her hands and feet with an electric cable before he had sex with her.

The Batu Ceper, Tangerang, sub-precinct police have detained the lawyer for questioning on charges of sexually assaulting his lover.

According to Latief, SL lived together with IAR five months ago because she fell in love with the man who claimed to operate a law office in Central Plaza on Jl. Jendral Sudirman, Central Jakarta.

The romantic "honeymoon" ended when the couple moved into a small home in Kedawung Wetan.

"He started to beat his lover before he had intercourse with her," Latief said.

Latief said that the police have already seized wooden sticks and a piece of cable which will be used as evidence in the case.

Latief said that Batu Ceper police are now investigating the case thoroughly. Their investigation now includes determining the real occupation of IAR, as police have failed to reach anyone at the telephone numbers provided by the suspect.

"Maybe he is just a con artist," Latief said.

Police have confiscated two land titles, Rp 1.5 million in cash and eight official rubber stamps from the suspect, who claimed to be a law school graduate from a private university in Sumatra. (09)