Cirebon Teen Convicted of Assault Sentenced to Read Quran and Recite Adhan

A court in Cirebon, Indonesia, has handed down an unconventional sentence to a teenager convicted of assault: a month-long period of religious devotion. The 16-year-old, identified by the initial P, must read the Quran three times a week and recite the adhan (call to prayer) once a week.

The ruling was delivered on May 25, 2026, by the Cirebon District Court. Presiding judge Rahmawan, along with fellow judges Galuh Rahma Esti and Astrid Anugerah, found the minor guilty of assault. Instead of imprisonment, the teen received a probationary sentence with specific conditions.

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The child is required to recite the adhan once a week for a month and is also required to participate in Quran reading classes three times a week for a month.

Beyond the religious obligations, the teen is under a six-month suspended sentence and must not commit any new crimes within one year. The special conditions also include community service, focusing on maintaining cleanliness and actively participating in religious activities at a designated mosque in the Drajat sub-district of Cirebon.

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In imposing a sentence on a juvenile offender, the panel of judges seeks diversi. However, due to limited economic circumstances, the child's family was unable to help cover the victim's medical expenses, so the peace agreement did not occur.

The court's decision was influenced by the teenager's remorse, the commitment of his parents and school to his education, and the mosque committee's willingness to guide him. The assault occurred on May 1, 2026, when the teen, part of a group intending to engage in a brawl, was involved in an altercation after his motorcycle nearly collided with another. The victim sustained an injury to his temple.

Judge Rahmawan explained that while the court explored diversionary measures, a lack of financial resources prevented the victim's medical expenses from being covered, thus hindering a peaceful resolution. The court also noted the teenager's psychological state, characterized by identity crisis and immaturity in decision-making, leading to the placement in religious activities as a means of fostering religious values and maturity.

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Considering that imposing a sentence on a child is a last resort (ultimum remedium) and is expected...