A religious figure in Bali, identified by his initials IWM, has been arrested for alleged sexual assault of a 33-year-old woman, which reportedly occurred during a religious ceremony last year.
The victim, who is married, filed a police report about the alleged sexual assault in July, less than a week after the incident occurred. She said that IWM, who is a sulinggih or holy man, assaulted her during a purification ritual, called melukat, in Gianyar regency.
Police have charged IWM with violation of multiple articles on sexual assault under the criminal code (KUHP), which could see him sentenced to a maximum of nine years in prison.
IWM’s legal representative, I Made Adi Seraya, said that his client still maintains his innocence.
“Our client still thinks that the alleged incident never happened. Up until today our client has denied the allegations and everything that was alleged is untrue,” Adi said.
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