Jakarta – The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) Polda Metro Jaya detained the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Miss Universe Indonesia 2023, Andaria Sarah Dewia or Sarah, regarding the case of sexual harassment against participants in the beauty contest.
“Detained. Complete information to the Head of Public Relations,” said Director of Criminal Investigation at Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Pol Hengki Haryadi when confirmed in Jakarta, Friday.
Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Pol Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, explained that the reason why investigators detained Sarah, apart from the investigation process, was also due to the potential for the person concerned to flee abroad because he had lived in China for a long time.
“The reason for the detention was to prevent TSK (the suspect) from leaving the country, to facilitate the investigation. The investigator’s reasons are of course based on the provisions of the law (KUHAP) both from objective and subjective considerations,” he said.
Kombes Pol Trunoyudo added that Sarah’s detention will take effect as of Friday 13 October 2023. Meanwhile, Sarah was named a suspect on Wednesday (4/10) after investigators conducted a case investigation.
Sarah denied carrying out “body checking” on her own initiative on the finalist contestants for Miss Universe Indonesia 2023.
This was conveyed by Sarah’s attorney, David Pohan, who explained that the process of “body checking” and photographing the finalists without clothes was directed by the CEO of Miss Universe with the initials EW.
“So there is no initiative from our clients. “That was an order and when ordering the CEO he said, ‘Please attach the evidence’,” he said when met at Polda Metro Jaya, Thursday (12/10).
Apart from that, David also explained that Sarah was appointed by the CEO as COO (Chief
Operating Officer/Operational Director) verbally. His first task is to organize and discipline time and also to obey verbal orders from the CEO.
“Secondly, our client received a direct order from the CEO to carry out a ‘body check’,” he said.
In investigating this case, investigators Ditreskrimum Polda Metro Jaya has examined 28 witnesses consisting of eight victims, 13 witnesses, three reported parties and four expert witnesses. Investigators have also coordinated with other institutions.
Sarah was charged with Articles 5, 6, 14 and 15 of Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning Criminal Sexual Violence (TPKS). Bembo
