A high school student has been arrested and detained by police in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) following the alleged physical and sexual assault of an Australian citizen at a remote beach resort.
The suspect, identified by his initials AH, was apprehended by authorities shortly after the victim reported the incident to the Southwest Sumba Police Headquarters. The attack took place at Pailiang Beach, located in Ate Dalo Village within the Kodi District of Southwest Sumba Regency.
The victim, a 30-year-old Australian woman identified by the initials IMC, was reportedly targeted while visiting the coastal area early in the morning. “This sexual abuse case involving a foreign national victim occurred on June 22, 2026,” stated First Inspector Kadek Arya Parwata, the Head of Public Relations for the Southwest Sumba Police.
According to official police statements, the victim was walking alone on the beach at approximately 7:00 a.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA) to watch the sunrise when the suspect approached her. The youth, who was on horseback at the time, offered to take a photograph with the tourist. When she declined the offer, the interaction turned violent.
“After the victim refused, the perpetrator then grabbed her by the collar and threw her to the ground,” Inspector Kadek explained, as quoted from Detiknews.
Once the victim had been thrown to the sand, the suspect allegedly subjected her to a sexual assault. Law enforcement officials noted that the woman attempted to defend herself and break free from her attacker. However, the suspect reportedly struck her severely in the lower back, incapacitating her and preventing her escape.
Arrest, Legal Proceedings, and Confiscated Evidence
Following the assault, the perpetrator robbed the victim of her mobile phone before fleeing the scene. He traveled back to his residence, which is located approximately five kilometres away from Pailiang Beach. Upon discovering that the stolen mobile phone had been damaged, the suspect reportedly struck the device repeatedly out of frustration, shattering it completely.
The victim managed to leave the beach and immediately lodged a formal complaint at the local police station. Authorities launched an immediate search operation, which resulted in the swift apprehension of the teenager at his home.
“At that time, the victim was at a tourist location before allegedly experiencing violence and sexual abuse. The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. WITA,” Inspector Kadek confirmed, adding that the swift report allowed officers to act decisively.
During the subsequent search of the suspect’s property, investigators recovered several items of evidence. These included a pair of black shorts, black underwear, and the severely fractured remains of a black iPhone 14 Pro. The total material loss suffered by the victim as a result of the theft and destruction of her property is estimated at IDR 25.1 million.
The suspect has been formally charged under Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP), in conjunction with Law Number 11 of 2012 regarding the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. Due to his minor status, specific provisions governing underage offenders will apply during the prosecution.
“Currently, the case has entered the investigation stage. The Southwest Sumba Police Criminal Investigation Unit is still completing the administrative investigation and filing, which will then be handed over to the Public Prosecutor (JPU) in accordance with applicable legal procedures,” Inspector Kadek concluded. The suspect remains in police custody pending formal indictment.
