Understand
Former Indonesian boarding school headmaster detained after BBC abuse investigation
Overview
Ahmad Imanuddin Sumar, the former headmaster of an Islamic boarding school in Lombok, Indonesia, has been detained by police and named as a suspect in a sexual abuse investigation following a BBC Eye report. Former students gathered evidence and came forward with testimonies after uncovering the allegations, prompting public outrage, police action, and the suspect's resignation.
Key points
- Ahmad Imanuddin Sumar, former headmaster of the Abul Barokat boarding school on Lombok, has been detained as a suspect in a sexual abuse investigation.
- The police reopened the case following a BBC Eye investigation that revealed allegations of sexual abuse by former students.
- Former students gathered evidence, compiled a dossier, and secretly recorded phone calls in which the headmaster pleaded for silence and protection of his reputation.
- Following the BBC report and subsequent public outrage, 12 additional former students came forward to give testimonies to the police.
- The suspect has resigned from the school and stated he will respect the legal process, despite previously denying the allegations at a news conference.