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Sultan accused of impregnating teenager
Sultan Pakubuwono XIII of Surakarta has been reported to the police for the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old senior high school student in Surakarta, Central Java
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ultan Pakubuwono XIII of Surakarta has been reported to the police for the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old senior high school student in Surakarta, Central Java. The girl is now four months pregnant.
Asri Purwanti, the lawyer for the girl, said that although her client had filed a report on the case with the police, the girl's family still preferred to settle the case amicably.
'They [the family] just want the palace to take responsibility for the pregnancy,' Asri said on Tuesday.
She said that two weeks before filing the report with the Sukoharjo Police, she had met with palace official and the sultan's brother KGPH Puger to talk about the case. She said KGPH Puger told her that he would help resolve the case and convey her concerns to the sultan.
As no reply had been received, Asri and her client reported the case to the police on Monday. They accused Pakubuwono of violating Law No. 23/2002 on child protection.
The girl reported to the Sukoharjo Police again on Tuesday to provide testimony. She was scheduled to undergo a medical examination at a hospital on Wednesday.
Separately, head of Surakarta Palace's legal department Eddy Wirabhumi said that the investigation into the case was still ongoing.
He said his office was still seeking clarification from people both inside and outside the palace.
'We're still continuing the clarification process,' Eddy said over the phone on Tuesday.
Asri said the girl was currently suffering from depression. The fetus, she said, was below normal weight and the girl had not realized that she was pregnant until she had spoken to her aunt.
'She was confused. She did not understand that missing two of her monthly periods was a sign of pregnancy,' said Asri.
Asri said that according to the girl's testimony, she met Pakubuwono on March 18 this year when he picked her up as she was on her way to a restaurant where she had a part-time job.
The victim said she felt dizzy after taking a candy that was allegedly given to her by Pakubuwono.
Later that day, she was allegedly taken to a hotel in Sukoharjo and had sexual intercourse there while she was semi-conscious.
Pakubuwono allegedly gave her Rp 700,000 (US$60) after the incident.
