12-year jail terms sought for 2 teachers accused of abuse at Indonesian international school
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Indonesian prosecutors are seeking 12-year jail terms for a Canadian teacher and an Indonesian teaching assistant accused of sexually abusing three young children at a prestigious international school.
Neil Bantleman and Ferdinant Tjiong, who were arrested in July, say they are innocent, as do a number of fellow teachers and the principal at the Jakarta International School. They are being tried on charges of violating the Child Protection Law, which provides a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail.
Prosecutor Nurhayati told reporters after a hearing Thursday that the heavy sentences are being sought because as teachers they had traumatized the victims.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In December, five janitors at the school were sentenced to up to eight years in jail in the sexual abuse of one of the children.