Indonesian Teacher Convicted of Sexual Abuse Returned to Jail After BBC Exposé Reveals Secret Early Release

A former teacher convicted of sexually assaulting a student at his father's Islamic boarding school in Indonesia has been sent back to prison following a BBC undercover investigation that exposed his secret early release. The case has triggered a government review, parliamentary hearings, and renewed calls for accountability in a country where powerful religious institutions have long shielded abusers from justice.

Mochamad Subchi Azal Tsami, commonly known as Bechi, had been sentenced to seven years behind bars in 2022 for sexually assaulting a female student at the Shiddiqiyyah Islamic boarding school in Jombang, East Java, where he worked as an instructor. The school was founded by his father, prominent Islamic cleric Muhammad Mukhtar Mu'thi, giving Bechi significant protection and influence within the community.

Despite the severity of his conviction, a BBC Eye investigation revealed that Bechi was quietly released on parole in August 2025, having served less than half of his original sentence. The woman he was convicted of assaulting was never notified of his release, even though Indonesian law grants victims the legal right to be informed about such decisions.

The revelation prompted immediate public outrage across Indonesia, with lawmakers demanding answers and the government announcing a comprehensive review into how the parole had been approved. That review ultimately identified "errors" in the process, leading authorities to revoke Bechi's parole and return him to custody.

Upon learning that her abuser was back behind bars, the former student who wished to remain anonymous told the BBC she cried with relief. "I pray that this doesn't happen to anyone else and that, going forward, the law will be applied justly in Indonesia," she said, expressing hope that her case might help prevent similar failures for other victims.

Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto confirmed that those responsible for approving Bechi's parole would face consequences. "They will certainly face sanctions," he told the BBC. "We want to make sure that such mistakes or irregularities do not happen again." The minister's statement signals a rare acknowledgment of systemic failure within Indonesia's correctional system.

For Ira Puspitasari, one of several former students who accused Bechi of sexual abuse and testified at his trial, the decision to return him to prison represents a form of vindication. She described herself as "amazed" by the government's decision to pay close attention to the case. "I didn't expect the government would pay such detailed attention to this case and really pay attention to us, the victims," she said.

Ira, who has waived her legal right to anonymity, has spoken publicly about the severity of the abuse she endured. She told the BBC that Bechi raped and sexually abused her for more than four years, beginning when she was just 15 years old. "I was treated as his slave. I was held captive, raped, beaten," she recounted, describing a pattern of violence and control that extended far beyond the school grounds.

She also detailed how she attempted to escape Bechi's grip but was tracked down by his private security guards, who kidnapped her and took her to a secluded hut where she was tortured and raped. When she reported these crimes to the police, she said she was intimidated into withdrawing her complaint. She also shared an audio recording of Bechi's mother instructing her to tell authorities that "nothing had happened."

The BBC's undercover investigation captured footage of Bechi smiling and greeting supporters at a public event in March—months before his parole should have been considered. For Ira, watching the footage was deeply painful. "It's like nothing ever happened," she said through tears, highlighting the emotional toll that his freedom had exacted on survivors.

The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of sexual abuse within Indonesia's religious and educational institutions. Ira was invited to a parliamentary hearing this week examining how the state handles such cases. The hearing was held in direct response to the BBC's investigation and the public pressure it generated.

During the hearing, lawyer Joko Jumadi, who has represented numerous victims of abuse in educational settings, testified that authorities frequently hesitate to investigate allegations when they involve what he described as "influential religious figures who have large followings." He also revealed that he regularly faces threats and intimidation as a result of his work on such cases, underscoring the dangerous environment for those seeking justice.

Bechi's path to his current imprisonment has been anything but straightforward. He was originally arrested in 2022 only after a 15-hour police siege at the Shiddiqiyyah school, where supporters had gathered to physically block his apprehension. Prosecutors had sought a longer sentence after multiple students accused him of rape, but he was ultimately acquitted of the rape charges and convicted only of the lesser offense of sexual assault against one student.

The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections had previously defended Bechi's release, claiming it was granted due to sentence reductions permitted under existing regulations. However, the subsequent government review determined that procedural errors had occurred, leading to the revocation of his parole and his return to prison.

The BBC reached out to Bechi, his mother, and representatives of the Shiddiqiyyah boarding school for comment during its investigation but received no response. The lack of engagement highlights the reluctance of powerful religious institutions to address allegations against their members.

This case has exposed significant gaps in Indonesia's justice system, particularly regarding victim notification and oversight of early release decisions. Advocates argue that the failure to inform Bechi's victim about his parole violated her legal rights and compounded her trauma, raising questions about how many other victims may face similar situations without their knowledge.

The parliamentary hearing and government review signal that authorities may be taking a more serious approach to sexual abuse cases involving religious figures, though advocates caution that systemic change will require sustained effort. For now, Bechi's return to prison offers a measure of accountability that many survivors of institutional abuse rarely receive, and it sends a message that even those with powerful connections may not escape justice indefinitely.