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Suspect of E. Java 'pesantren' sexual abuse case surrenders after multiple failed arrests
The son of a pesantren head who has repeatedly evaded arrest over three years for alleged child sexual abuse finally surrendered to police on Thursday.
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Members of the East Java Police attend the National Police’s 76th anniversary celebrations on July 5, 2022 in Surabaya. (Antara/Didik Suhartono)
M
oh. Subchi Azal Tsani, a son of the head of a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Jombang regency, East Java, who has been wanted as a suspect in a child sexual abuse case, surrendered late on Thursday after repeated attempts by local police to arrest him.
Subchi, also known as “Mas Bechi”, had been evading police capture since 2019, when he was declared as a suspect in a child molestation case. Following another bungled attempt on Sunday to arrest him at the school, hundreds of police officers were stationed at the pesantren on Thursday morning.
Subchi evaded arrest on Sunday by sneaking away in a car.
East Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Nico Afinta told reporters late on Thursday that officers had been in communication with the family of the prominent kyai (Islamic teacher), Muhammad Mukhtar Mu’thi, the suspect’s father and head of the pesantren.
“We thank everyone who has been involved,” Nico said as quoted by Tempo, calling for all parties to respect the ongoing legal process.
East Java Police also arrested on Thursday at least 320 sympathizers for attempted obstruction as they tried to stop police from capturing Subchi.
Jombang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Mohammad Nurhidayat said on Monday that three cars were traveling in a convoy during Sunday’s attempted arrest, Kompas.com reported. Authorities managed to stop one car, but it was not carrying Subchi.
