JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Four janitors charged with raping a kindergartner at a prestigious international school in Indonesia have retracted their confessions, saying they were tortured by police during questioning.
They made the retractions at a hearing Wednesday, the second day of a closed-door trial of five janitors at the Jakarta International School. The school is facing a storm of controversy following allegations of additional abuse.
Six custodians — five men and a woman — were arrested in April. However, one man committed suicide by drinking bathroom cleanser while in police custody. Their trials began Tuesday at the South Jakarta District Court with the first male defendant.
They could face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty of raping the 6-year-old boy, whose parents are seeking $125 million in compensation from the school.
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