Trial Starts for Canadian Teacher Accused of Sexual Abuse in Indonesia

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Indonesian court has finally begun trial of Canadian Neil Bantleman over the charge of sexually abusing a kindergartner at the prestigious Jakarta International School located in the southern district of the city. The school is attended by 2,400 children of diplomats, elite members of Indonesian society, and businessmen.

According to a report by The Associated Press, Bantleman and his teaching assistant, Ferdinant Tjiong, are accused of molesting a six-year-old boy in a room at the facility during school hours. Both accused were arrested in July and have been kept in custody since then. In addition to the two accused, six school janitors were also arrested in connection with molesting the child, but one of them died while in police custody. School officials and students alike believe in Bantleman and Tjiong’s innocence, though the parents of the child are suing the school for $130 million.

Bantleman’s brother, Guy Bantleman, alleged that the prospect of being able to challenge the “wild allegations” is giving his brother grounds for optimism. He stated that “while we never thought we’d get to trial, it’s getting to a point where we can confront the accusers in a court of law, we can see their alleged evidence, we can start to understand more about the allegations and ultimately refuting them and clearing Neil’s name.” Bantleman mentioned during an interview on Monday that “having the ability to know that there is something coming up on the horizon, something short term, that will drive Neil… he needs something to cling on to and have hope about.”