Failed political candidate Haerul Asri is facing up to 15 years in jail for allegedly prostituting his wife of 14 years to pay off campaign debts.
Indonesia. A failed political candidate from West Sulawesi has appeared in court charged with allegedly forcing his wife into prostitution to help pay off campaign debts.
Haerul Asri, 38, made an unsuccessful attempt in 2009 to win election to the West Sulawesi Legislative Council (DPRD) representing Polewali Mandar (Polman) district in 2009.
The case opened in the Polman District Court on Tuesday, Metro TV reported.
He is charged with forcing his wife, Nad, to have sex with his friends for between Rp 300,000 ($34) and Rp 500,000 and is facing up to 15 years in jail.
Haerul told the court that he needed to pay outstanding debts from his political campaign.
Speaking to a local newspaper, Nad said she ran away from her husband in April and moved in with her family in Samarinda, East Kalimantan.
She alleged that Haerul beat her every time she refused his order to have sex with “clients.”
Haerul and Nad had been married for 14 years and have two children.
The family owns a motorcycle showroom and business had been good until Haerul signed up to be a legislative candidate.
“His business suffered from the political campaign fund and he started to borrow money from people. When he lost the election, debt collectors came knocking on our door every day,” Nad said.
The forced prostitution started early this year.
“He would beat me and threaten to kill me if I said I didn’t want to do it. Until I finally decided to run away and go home to Samarinda,” she said.
Nad and her family reported Haerul to Polewali Mandar Police in April. He was arrested and named a suspect for domestic violence and human trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail.
