A former teacher who sexually assaulted a student has been returned to jail in Indonesia after a BBC investigation revealed he was secretly released early. Mochamad Subchi Azal Tsani, known as Bechi, was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2022 after being convicted of sexually assaulting a female student at his father's prominent Islamic boarding school in East Java, where he worked as a teacher.
Early Release and Public Outcry
A BBC Eye undercover investigation revealed that Bechi was secretly released on parole in August 2025, after serving less than half of his sentence. The woman he had been convicted of assaulting had not been informed of his release, despite her legal right to know. Upon hearing that he was back in prison, she expressed her relief, stating:
“"I pray that this doesn't happen to anyone else and that, going forward, the law will be applied justly in Indonesia."
The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections previously stated that Bechi was released due to sentence reductions granted in accordance with regulations. However, the BBC investigation sparked a public outcry and led to calls from lawmakers for an investigation, prompting the government to announce a comprehensive review.
Review Findings and Consequences
The review found "errors" that resulted in Bechi's parole being revoked, and he has now been returned to prison. Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto told the BBC that those responsible for approving Bechi's parole "will certainly face sanctions" and emphasized the need to prevent such mistakes in the future.
