Ponorogo Kiai Arrested Over Alleged Abuse of Dozens of Male Pesantren Students

Police in Ponorogo, East Java, detained a Kiai who runs a pesantren in the Jambon district after multiple male santri reported sexual abuse. Victims – reported as 11 to 13 boys, some under the legal age – said they were repeatedly summoned to a private room and subjected to inappropriate acts, including forced massage. The allegations emerged when a former student fled the boarding school and told his family, prompting an investigation by the Ponorogo Criminal Investigation Unit.

The suspect was taken into custody in the early hours of 18 May 2026 and transferred to the regional police headquarters. Authorities are deepening their inquiry, gathering statements from the victims and coordinating with the prosecutor’s office to determine charges. Lawyers for the victims, including Muhammad Ihsan, confirmed the number of alleged victims and urged a careful legal process given the involvement of minors.