Seven arrested in Jakarta for alleged 21-day kidnapping and extortion of employees

Seven individuals are in custody following allegations of kidnapping, extortion, and assault against three employees of a printing company in Senen, Jakarta. The victims were allegedly held for 21 days, from June 5 to June 26, 2026.

According to Said Iqbal, a presidential advisor for labor affairs, the victims were not only subjected to physical mistreatment but also intimidated into dropping the legal proceedings. He revealed that the victims were offered substantial sums, reportedly up to 1 billion Indonesian rupiah per person, as a "hush money" payment. However, the victims reportedly rejected these offers, prioritizing justice over financial compensation.

Police have identified the seven suspects and are investigating their roles in the alleged crimes. The case reportedly began when the company, Mau Print, accused the three employees of stealing printing plates, claiming a loss of 230 million rupiah. Instead of pursuing legal action, the company allegedly demanded each victim pay 50 million rupiah to cover the alleged damages.

When the victims failed to fully comply, they were allegedly confined within the company premises. Reports indicate their feet were chained and padlocked. One family managed to pay 50 million rupiah, but the confinement reportedly continued. The owner of the printing company is believed to be the mastermind behind the operation, with other suspects allegedly involved in the physical assault and ransom demands.