A court in Jakarta has freed a Canadian teacher held in an Indonesian jail for over a year
Neil Bantleman, 45, and his assistant, Ferdinant Tjiong, were convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison in April for violating Indonesia’s child protection law by sexually abusing students who attended the school’s kindergarten and who are now six and seven years old.
Critics said their case was filled with irregularities.
Both men maintained their innocence and appealed to the Jakarta High Court, which ruled in their favour on Friday.
As the pair walked out of Cipinang prison in eastern Jakarta, they were greeted by tearful family and cheers from friends and dozens of teachers from their former school.
Bantleman and his wife, Tracy, plan to spend at least the next three days together away from the media.
Bantleman’s brother, Guy, said his brother could be home in Canada as early as mid-September.
It is unclear if the prosecutor will appeal the decision.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.