Indonesian Teacher Convicted of Abuse Secretly Released Early
A BBC investigation reveals Moch Subchi Azal Tsani, known as Bechi, was released after serving less than half of his seven-year sentence for sexual assault.
An Indonesian teacher convicted of sexually assaulting a student at an Islamic boarding school has been secretly released from prison early, a BBC Eye investigation has found. Moch Subchi Azal Tsani, known as Bechi, is the son of an influential Islamic religious leader. His trial sent shockwaves through Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country where millions of parents send their children to Islamic boarding schools.
Bechi was arrested in 2022 at his father's school in East Java after a lengthy standoff involving nearly 1,000 riot police. He was sentenced to seven years in prison later that year. The government initially withdrew the school's operating license, but President Joko Widodo intervened, arguing the case was individual rather than institutional.
The BBC investigation uncovered further allegations against Bechi, who is 46, and evidence suggesting the school and family attempted to suppress them. His early release comes as the National Commission on Violence against Women warns of an "emergency" of sexual violence in Islamic boarding schools, citing the power of religious leaders shielding these institutions from oversight.
Prosecutors had sought a 16-year sentence for rape, but the court convicted Bechi on the lesser charge of sexual assault. Undercover footage recorded by the BBC indicates he has been released after serving less than half of his sentence. Bechi would have been eligible for parole around March 2027 or released at the end of his sentence in 2029.
Indonesia's Ministry of Immigration and Corrections told the BBC that Bechi was released in August 2025 due to "sentence remissions granted to him in accordance with applicable regulations." The ministry stated it could not specify why his sentence was reduced.
Ira Puspitasari, another student who testified at the trial, waived her legal right to anonymity to speak publicly for the first time. "I was treated as his slave. I was held captive, raped, beaten," she said. "I can never forget what he said to me: 'Don't you realise you're just my slave?'" She described being raped and sexually abused by Bechi for over four years, starting at age 15. She alleges that after attempting to flee, Bechi's security guards kidnapped her, and she was later tortured and raped. She also stated she was intimidated into withdrawing a police report, sharing an audio recording where Bechi's mother allegedly told her to say "nothing had happened."
In January, BBC undercover reporters attended a prayer event at the Shiddiqiyyah Islamic boarding school where they saw Bechi. Filming and photography were prohibited before he appeared on stage, a change from previous years. In March, reporters captured Bechi on hidden camera at another event at his family home on the school compound.
The BBC sought comment from Bechi, his mother, and the Shiddiqiyyah school but received no response. Students who testified, including the victim in the sexual assault case, were placed under witness protection. Indonesian law requires them to be informed of a prisoner's release, but Ira and another former student stated they were not informed and were stunned to see footage of Bechi, believing he was still imprisoned. The ministry stated victims need not be informed because Bechi remains on parole, but the witness protection agency disputes this.
Ayu Masuroh, who lives near the school and did not allege abuse by Bechi but investigated claims after hearing from schoolmates, expressed fear. "He hates me. His supporters have threatened to kill me many times. I will never feel safe here. I don't feel safe living in Indonesia," she said. Masuroh stated she collected testimonies from at least 10 other female students alleging sexual assault or rape by Bechi, with some reporting he told them they were "chosen" or raped them after calling them for a "personal interview."
Nun Sayuti, a former lawyer for the school who began supporting the students, called Bechi's early release a "violation of victims' rights." He testified that when allegations first surfaced, Bechi instructed him to make them disappear. After investigating, Sayuti realized he was defending the wrong side and began collecting evidence. He secretly recorded Bechi boasting, "In my position, I can have my way with anyone I want."
Komnas Perempuan, the commission on violence against women, warned in May that cases emerging across Indonesia might be just the "tip of the iceberg." The commission noted that students often cannot report abuse due to inadequate protection and called for stronger government oversight and penalties to curb unchecked power by religious leaders.
Bechi's case is one of Indonesia's most prominent sexual abuse scandals due to the political influence of his father, Kiai Muchtar Mu'thi, whose school is part of a complex with thousands of followers. In 2014 and 2019, presidential candidates visited the school. Indonesia's national police chief also visited the school and met with Mu'thi last year.
Ira stated that the family's connections and influence persuaded her to initially withdraw her allegations due to fear and death threats. She recounted a June 2018 meeting with Bechi's mother, where Bechi's mother apologized for her son's "mistakes" and urged Ira to retract her police report, saying "Nothing happened, it's only family business." Fearing for her safety, Ira signed a retraction statement, which she now regrets. She testified everything in court and said watching footage of Bechi now feels as if "he has won and I've lost," calling it a "complete mockery of the law."
