Police in West Java arrested Taufik Hidayat, 30, on Tuesday in connection with allegedly holding his girlfriend captive and abusing her for nearly three years. Officers found him in Majalaya, Bandung District, hours after a wanted person notice was issued.
The victim, YTR, 29, was discovered at a hospital emergency room with evidence of systematic violence from her years in captivity.
Arrest and investigation
West Java Police Public Affairs Chief Kombes Hendra Rochmawan confirmed the arrest. "The suspect in this assault and kidnapping case, Taufik Hidayat, was arrested in the jurisdiction of Bandung Police, specifically in Majalaya," he said. Reports indicated the arrest occurred in Griya Pesona housing in Ciparay, also in Bandung District.
Police Chief Irjen Rudi Setiawan said online transactions by the suspect that morning helped investigators locate him. "This morning he conducted several transactions. This became the lead," he said. Hidayat was arrested in the same district where the alleged crimes occurred.
The suspect has admitted to the allegations but attributed his actions to alcohol consumption, though investigators are still verifying that claim.
The victim's injuries
Forensic doctors documented injuries across multiple organs. "Forensic specialists identified damaged body parts that are no longer functioning, including the eyes, lips, cuts on the legs from sharp objects, and cigarette burns," said Police Chief Rudi Setiawan.
The victim could not speak clearly or walk normally when discovered. She had been held in a boarding room in the Cileunyi/Cinunuk area of Bandung District. The Witness and Victim Protection Agency was brought in at the start of the investigation.
Why domestic violence law does not apply
Indonesia's Domestic Violence Law (Law 23/2004) protects victims in marriages, family relationships, guardianships, or shared households. Because YTR was the suspect's girlfriend, she fell outside these four categories.
Prosecutors are relying on general criminal charges under the Indonesian Penal Code for aggravated assault and unlawful confinement. The specific articles will be confirmed at a West Java Police press conference on Wednesday, June 24.
Women's rights advocates have long flagged this gap. In cases of violence within romantic relationships, victim protection depends heavily on how investigators frame charges. YTR's case, with documented forensic evidence of multiple forms of violence over a long period, strengthens calls to expand the law's scope.
Similar forensic reconstruction was central to proving a chain of abuse in other cases involving systematic violence.
Political pressure and next steps
Before the arrest, Deputy Speaker of the House Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal coordinated with the West Java Police chief to accelerate the capture. "If something like this happens, do not stay silent," he told the public. "Report it to police so action can be taken quickly."
The police press conference on Wednesday will clarify the arrest location, the investigation timeline, and the charges. The victim's recovery is ongoing, including medical treatment for her vision and psychological support through the Witness and Victim Protection Agency.
