In a dramatic turn of events, a former teacher who had been convicted of sexually assaulting a student was secretly released from prison in August 2025, weeks before serving his full seven‑year sentence.
Mohammad Subchi Azal Tsani, known as Bechi, worked as a teacher at his father’s influential Islamic boarding school in East Java. He was arrested in 2022 following a 15‑hour police siege and later sentenced for violating a student’s personal safety.
A BBC Eye undercover operation captured footage of Bechi attending a public event in March 2026, long after his sentencing. The report exposed that he had obtained parole through a procedural loophole, a fact that had not been communicated to the victim, who was rightfully entitled to be notified.
Public reaction spurred the Indonesian Ministry of Immigration and Corrections to conduct a review of parole procedures. The review found administrative errors, leading to the revocation of Bechi’s early release and his return to prison. Minister Agus Andrianto stated that officials responsible would face disciplinary action and that “such mistakes will not recur.”
Victim advocates, including a former student who endured repeated abuse, welcomed the decision. She remarked, “I pray that no one else goes through such injustice.” Her testimony, along with others’, has intensified demands for greater transparency in handling sexual abuse allegations within schools.
The case underscores the critical importance of reliable, transparent justice systems for fostering trust in public institutions and safeguarding vulnerable communities. As Indonesia moves forward, the reforms prompted by this investigation could set a precedent for stronger accountability across the country’s educational sector.
