Man Charged With Statutory Rape Says He Did Not Know Sex With 12-Year-Old Was Illegal
He asked the victim to engage in sex with him four times.
By Katrina Khairul Azman — 01 Jul 2019, 12:24 PM
A man in Buleleng, Indonesia was arrested on 27 June after confessing to having sex with a 12-year-old girl
The 18-year-old, Fredy Servana Bella, was officially declared a suspect on Wednesday, 26 June, according to Coconuts Bali.
Fredy seemingly did not understand that it is illegal to have sexual relations with the 12-year-old, who had just graduated from primary school
"I am dating her, we like each other, and there was no coercion," he said.
According to Nusa Bali, Fredy said that the two met in their village and that he grew to like her and "started to flirt".
The two exchanged text messages for a while until 24 May, when they had sexual relations for the first time.
Her reportedly asked the victim, identified as PA, to engage in sex with him four times.
Fredy admitted to asking to meet at her house after she finishes school, when her parents were not home.
PA's parents found out about their relationship after discovering disturbing messages on her phone
"Maybe she was afraid.. I asked her patiently, and finally she admitted. She said she was assaulted one time," PA's father told Bali Express.
They then reported the matter to the police.
Under Indonesia's Law on Child Protection (No.23/2002), Fredy is facing a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a fine of IDR 5 billion (RM 1,467,175).