Ponorogo pesantren head Jayadi charged with raping 13 male students

Police in Ponorogo, East Java, have named the head of the Tahfidzul Qur'an Raden Wijaya pesantren, Jayadi, as a suspect in a decade‑long sexual abuse case. Investigators say the 9‑year‑spanning assault began in April 2017 and continued until May 2026, involving at least 13 male santri who were reportedly lured with free money and massage sessions before being raped. The case came to light after a former student fled the boarding school and reported the abuse, prompting a marathon investigation by the Satreskrim unit of the Ponorogo Police. Jayadi has been detained at the local detention facility, and police say the number of victims could rise as more former students are encouraged to come forward.

The investigation highlighted the misuse of authority by the pesantren leader, who exploited his position to commit the crimes. Authorities continue to gather statements from additional witnesses and victims, urging alumni to report any similar experiences.