A former Indonesian teacher, Mochamad Subchi Azal Tsani—known as Bechi—has returned to prison after an undercover BBC investigation exposed a secret early release that was never disclosed to the victim or the public.
Bechi was convicted in 2022 for sexually assaulting a female student at his father’s prominent Islamic boarding school in East Java, and was handed a seven‑year sentence. Despite the gravity of the crime, he had been released on parole in August 2025, well before serving half of his term.
The BBC Eye team recorded the moment he appeared unbothered at a public event, moments before the victim was publicly notified of his return to prison and cried with relief. A closed‑door parliamentary hearing followed, drawing lawmakers and civil society into a heated debate about abuse in religious educational settings.
Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto ordered an investigation, citing “errors” in the parole process that led to its revocation. He pledged that anyone responsible would face sanctions, signalling a shift toward greater accountability.
Victim testimony added weight to the case. Ira Puspitasari, one of several former students who had suffered years of sexual abuse, described being hunted by Bechi’s security team, beaten, and forced into a secluded hut where he was repeatedly raped. She insisted she had been coerced into withdrawing her complaint, with her mother even urging her to deny the abuse.
Bechi’s arrest followed a dramatic 15‑hour police siege in 2022, during which supporters outside the school tried to block his detention. Though prosecutors wanted a harsher sentence, the court acquitted him of rape charges and convicted him on a lesser assault charge.
Following the BBC’s exposure, a parliamentary panel asked why authorities have been reluctant to investigate allegations involving influential religious figures and pledged to overhaul protection mechanisms for students in religious and educational institutions. Lawyers representing victims warned of ongoing intimidation and called for stronger legal safeguards.
Indonesia’s latest scandal underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect students and ensure that early releases or parole are granted only with full transparency and accountability.
