The Sukabumi city administration, the police and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) are investigating pedophile suspect Andri Sobari alias Emon, who allegedly molested more than 50 children in Sukabumi, West Java
he Sukabumi city administration, the police and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) are investigating pedophile suspect Andri Sobari alias Emon, who allegedly molested more than 50 children in Sukabumi, West Java.
The Sukabumi City Police arrested Andri on Friday following a report filed by the parents of one victim, chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hari Santoso said.
'So far, 51 victims [have come forward],' Hari told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
Andri, 24, allegedly offered the victims between Rp 25,000 (US$2.18) and Rp 50,000 before leading them to quiet places, such as the former Lio Santa hot springs, in the daytime, Antara news agency reported.
'He lured [the victims] with money or clothes,' Hari said.
Meanwhile, KPAI secretary-general Erlinda said there were 55 victims, Antara reported.
Hari said that the suspect had committed the crime since January this year and had targeted boys aged between 8 and 13.
'We will continue checking his background. The preliminary investigation shows that the suspect was fully aware of his actions when committing the crimes. He doesn't suffer from memory loss or mental disorders,' Hari went on.
The suspect, Hari continued, specifically targeted children.
'Most of the victims were residents of his neighborhood. We are not ruling out the possibility of more cases coming to light as we believe that some victims' parents haven't yet filed reports,' Hari said.
The suspect will be charged with violating the Child Protection Law and the Criminal Code, which carry a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.
As of Saturday, 21 children had been questioned and examined by the police and doctors. The police have also deployed psychiatrists to speak to the victims and the suspect.
Separately, Sukabumi Deputy Regent Achmad Fahmi said that the Sukabumi Community Service Center for the Protection of Women and Children (P2TP2A) was currently examining the victims and suspect. The KPAI suggested that the suspect should undergo counseling for his sexual disorder.
For the victims, Fahmi said, counseling is provided to prevent them from becoming perpetrators of sexual abuse themselves.
'The counseling is important to address the trauma inflicted by abuse,' said Sukabumi P2TP2A secretary Joko Kristianto said.
Fahmi called on residents to file reports with the police should they suspect their children or relatives had been targeted by the suspect.
'I hope residents will remain calm ['¦] the city administration or the police can provide counseling and assistance for your children,' Fahmi added.
Erlinda explained that she had questioned Andri in person and that there might be more victims.
'He [Andri] often changed his statements during the questioning and we could see from his body language that he lied too. We suspect he has yet to tell us everything,' said Erlinda. The suspect, she said, admitted that he was sexually abused at the age of 11, but he later corrected his statement.
'The suspect [later] said he had sexually abused one child seven times,' Erlinda added.
This case only adds to a series of child sex abuse cases that have emerged recently.
Five suspects have been arrested in connection to the reported molestation of a six-year-old kindergarten student at Jakarta International School (JIS), while in Aceh, an officer of the Aceh Police headquarters, identified only as Brig. M, allegedly abused two elementary school students aged 7 and 8.
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