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Death penalty sought for alleged child rapist
Although several government officials have expressed their support for the prosecutors’ demand for the death penalty for a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) teacher accused of the rape of his students, activists have questioned the deterrent effect of the death penalty in cases of sexual abuse.
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Power of women: Activists from various women’s organizations unfurl a banner during a rally in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Dec. 10, 2021 to commemorate International Human Rights Day and demand the passage of the sexual violence eradication bill. (Antara/Basri Marzuki)
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lthough several government officials have expressed their support for the prosecutors’ demand for the death penalty for a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) teacher accused of the rape of his students, activists have questioned the deterrent effect of the death penalty in cases of sexual abuse.
The indictment has become the latest case to spark a debate over the effectiveness of capital punishment in Indonesia, which is often handed down to drug convicts and has long been questioned by rights activists as it does not appear to deter others from committing similar crimes.
Prosecutors demanded on Tuesday that the panel of judges at Banding District Court, West Java, sentence Herry Wirawan, the defendant in the case, to death for alleged rape and violence against children, a crime punishable under the 2016 Child Protection Law.
In addition, the prosecutors also demanded chemical castration and that Herry pay Rp 500 million (US$34,989) in fines and Rp 331 million in restitution for his victims. The prosecutors also demanded Herry’s assets be seized and auctioned off, the proceeds of which would be used to provide financial support for the victims and their children.
The head of the West Java Prosecutors' Office, Asep N. Mulyana, who is acting as prosecutor for the case, argued that the prosecutors decided to seek such a heavy punishment for Herry given the severity of his crimes.
Herry is accused of raping at least 13 students between 2016 and 2021 in various pesantren in which he taught. At least nine babies have reportedly been born as the result of the rapes.
Read also: Rape of 'pesantren' students triggers national soul-searching
