Bechi's Parole: Legal Right or a Gap in Victim Protection?
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- Moch Subchi Azal Tsani alias Bechi resmi menghirup udara bebas pada 20 Agustus 2025 setelah menerima pembebasan bersyarat dari Kementerian Imigrasi dan Pemasyarakatan.
- Pemerintah berdalih kebijakan itu murni penegakan hukum karena yang bersangkutan telah menjalani dua pertiga masa pidana dan dinilai berkelakuan baik selama di Lapas.
- Publik dan pegiat perlindungan perempuan mempertanyakan mengapa terpidana kekerasan seksual terhadap santriwati bisa lolos dari pengawasan ketat, sementara hak korban seolah terabaikan.
The convict in the sexual violence case against a female student in Jombang, Moch Subchi Azal Tsani, alias Bechi, has been a free man since 20 August 2025. The parole was issued through Decree of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections Number PAS-1429.PK.05.03 of 2025 dated 15 August 2025, as confirmed by the Directorate General of Corrections.
The decision immediately sparked debate in the public sphere. Bechi is no ordinary name. He is the son of the prominent kiai Muhammad Mukhtar Mukthi, founder of Pesantren Shiddiqiyyah in Jombang, East Java. His case came to the surface after he was reported for alleged sexual abuse of an underage woman who was one of the students at the pesantren. The combination of a strong social background and a crime classified as serious has led the public to question the justice behind this parole policy.
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra stressed that the parole was not a form of privilege. According to him, Bechi had served two-thirds of his total sentence and showed good behavior during his rehabilitation at the correctional facility. "According to the applicable law, he is entitled to parole," Yusril said when contacted, Thursday (24/9/2026). He added that a similar policy applies to all inmates without exception, and the government must act fairly and objectively, not based on like or dislike.
Nevertheless, that legal-formal argument did not immediately quell public unease. In many cases of sexual violence, parole is often a vulnerable point for the victim's safety. A victim who is still a child and lives in the same environment as the perpetrator may face social pressure, intimidation, even repeated threats. The big question: to what extent does the state ensure that the victim's rights remain protected when the perpetrator returns to society?
Criminal law experts assess that the parole system in Indonesia does provide room for inmates to reform themselves, but often ignores the dimension of victim protection. "Parole should not only measure the inmate's good behavior inside the prison, but also consider the social risks that may arise, especially for vulnerable victims," said a legal academic from Universitas Indonesia, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue. He underlined that in cases of sexual crimes against children, risk assessment is a non-negotiable necessity.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections ensures that Bechi remains under supervision during his parole period. However, what kind of supervision mechanism is applied and whether the victim is involved in the assessment process have not been explained in detail. Transparency is crucial so that this policy is not interpreted as a form of impunity for sexual offenders who have power relations.
"What was done for Bechi applies to all inmates without exception. This is not at all a privilege for the person concerned." — Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections.
For readers in Indonesia, especially professionals, investors, and stakeholders in the legal and child protection sectors, this case is a mirror of how fragile the balance is between the rights of inmates and the rights of victims. When the state prioritizes merely administrative aspects, public trust in the justice system can erode. The impact is not only on the legitimacy of correctional institutions, but also on the climate of social investment and legal certainty that forms the foundation of national stability.
Furthermore, the Bechi case highlights the urgency of revising parole regulations, especially for sexual crimes against children. Several countries have implemented strict risk assessment mechanisms, involving forensic psychologists, and require periodic reporting for released offenders. Indonesia does not yet have a similar framework comprehensively. Without reform, the potential for repeat offenses and revictimization of victims will continue to haunt.
Going forward, the public will scrutinize the government's steps in balancing legal rights and victim protection. Will Bechi's parole be followed by strict supervision and assistance for the victim? Or will this merely become a precedent that punishment for sexual violence offenders can be softened by administration? The answer will determine the direction of correctional policy and justice for victims in Indonesia.
