Indonesian paedophile Herry Wirawan’s life term, rather than castration, a ‘warning’ to predators
- An Islamic studies teacher who impregnated eight of the 13 children he raped is to receive a punishment usually reserved for terrorists and serial killers
- While prosecutors had pushed for castration and death, experts say the term will act as a deterrent and is appropriate in a case that highlighted systemic failure
In Southeast Asia’s largest economy, the maximum recommended sentence for the rape of a minor is 15 years, although judges have the power to hand down heftier sentences as they see fit.
Wirawan, 36, had impregnated at least eight of the 13 children between 2016 and 2021 at the boarding school he ran. The prosecution in Bandung, a city two hours from the capital Jakarta, pushed for the death penalty and chemical castration, citing the extent of physical, emotional and psychological harm done to the children. Prosecutor Asep N Mulyana also asked that Wirawan’s identity be made public.
Life terms in Indonesia are usually reserved for crimes such as terrorism or murder cases in which there have been multiple victims or particularly nefarious factors such as mutilation or necrophilia.
