A shaman in East Java has been named a suspect for sexually assaulting his female customer under the guise of alternative treatment.
The shaman, identified as 40-year-old ARF, had told his victim, a 30-year-old woman from Bondowoso regency, that his practice would help treat her acid reflux. His method allegedly involved the insertion then later removal of an egg into the victim's vagina. This was allegedly followed by ARF ordering the woman to strip down before going on to rape her.
The incident reportedly occurred last month in a hotel room in the nearby Situbondo regency, while the victim's husband waited in the next room.
After the "treatment," the victim filed a police report, prompting a joint team comprising officers from Situbondo, Bondowoso and the East Java Police to pursue ARF. He was finally arrested yesterday in his hometown after being on the run and reportedly moving from one place to another around the province.
ARF allegedly attempted to deceive the police by ruining his own face, using several methods to make himself unrecognizable, such as slamming his face into the wall, scarring it with sharp objects, and pouring hot water onto it. The police brought him to a local hospital to treat his wounds before bringing him in for questioning.
ARF is currently detained with the Situbondo Police and has been charged with sexual assault under Indonesia's criminal code (KUHP), which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.
Police said they are still looking into the case, alluding that there may be other victims who have yet to file a report.