A 15-year-old girl in Timor Tengah Selatan, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has been named a suspect for the alleged murder of a 48-year-old man. The teenage suspect told authorities she had acted in self-defense because the victim, who had raped her before, attempted to rape her again recently.
The suspect, identified by her initials MS, and the victim, identified as NB, are reportedly cousins, with police saying that the latter had raped her at least once since May last year.
MS told authorities that NB raped her last week, but when he tried to rape her again for the second time that day, MS brandished her knife and killed NB. Police were then alerted to the incident after his dead body was found.
Andre Librian, Chief of Timor Tengah Selatan precinct, said that MS was named as a suspect in the case because she had brought a knife when meeting with NB, and after considering that they have had “intimate relations” prior to the incident last week.
Though police said that MS was not detained because she was underage and is instead with the local social agency, authorities did not appear to take into consideration her status as a minor and the possibility that MS had been coerced into the relationship with a much older man.
“Even if this is viewed as an act to protect herself, let the court decide,” Andre said.
MS was charged with articles under Indonesia’s criminal code, including that on premeditated murder which carries a maximum sentence of lifetime imprisonment.
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