Teacher convicted of sexual assault returned to jail after BBC investigation uncovered secret early release.
Mochamad Subchi Azal Tsani, known as Bechi, was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2022 for assaulting a female student at a prominent Islamic boarding school in East Java.
BBC undercover reporters found that he had been secretly released on parole in August 2025, after less than half his sentence. The victim, who had not been informed of his release, cried relief when he was taken back to prison.
The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections said the release followed normal sentence‑reduction rules, but the investigation sparked a public outcry and a parliamentary hearing into abuse in religious and educational institutions.
Following the review, a ruling was issued that the parole was legally flawed and Bechi was returned to jail. Immigration Minister Agus Andrianto pledged sanctions for those who approved the erroneous release.
Victims like Ira Puspitasari, who endured years of abuse, praised the government’s transparency and demanded that future cases be handled with more care. She said: “I’m amazed. I didn’t expect the government would pay such detailed attention to this case.”
The case highlights the need for stronger protections for students in faith‑based schools and greater accountability for influential figures.
