The police investigation has revealed that IS, who has been detained since last Thursday, was convicted of a similar crime more than 20 years ago.
bdul Rahman Husain, the social rehabilitation unit head at the Gorontalo Province’s Social Affairs Agency, has said he was still in shock to learn that the suspect of alleged multiple sexual abuses at the Al Hijrah orphanage in Dungingi district was the 42-year-old man who ran the facility.
Abdul said the suspect, identified only by the initials IS, was the chairman of the Gorontalo forum for Children’s Wellbeing and Orphanages.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened because IS is known as a nice person. He is also known as a children’s activist,” he said.
At least 79 young people were sheltered at Al Hijrah, which is known to be a special shelter for children experiencing legal difficulties or those from poor families. The orphanage reportedly witnessed the sexual abuse of at least six girls, Gorontalo Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Ary Donny said.
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The police investigation has revealed that IS, who has been detained since last Thursday, was convicted of a similar crime more than 20 years ago.
“It was in Central Sulawesi around 1995. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison,” Ary said.
IS has been charged under the 2014 Law on Child Protection, which carries a maximum 15 years’ imprisonment. However, Ary said judges could impose a heavier sentence because IS had allegedly committed a crime he had previously been convicted of.
The issue came to light when the parents of the girl who ran away from the orphanage told local police about the alleged abuse on Thursday. (bbs)
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