Police Call Students Who Destroy Bantul Tomb Cross Tomb Tomb Tomb Tombs Indicated For Mental Disorders

The police showed evidence of the case of the destruction of tombs in the areas of Yogyakarta and Bantul during a press conference at the Kotagede Police Office, Yogyakarta, DIY, Tuesday (20/5/2025). ANTARA/Luqman Hakim

YOGYAKARTA - Police said ANF (16), a junior high school student from Bantul who was arrested in connection with allegations of destroying a number of cross tombstones at the graves of the Yogyakarta City and Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, indicated a mental disorder.

"For his psyche, there are also descendants. His brother is taking outpatient treatment, but he has never had outpatient treatment," said Kotagede Police Chief AKP Basungkawa as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 20.

According to him, ANF has shown symptoms of disruption since grade 1 junior high school. However, until he was in grade 3 of junior high school, no examination had been carried out.

In addition, the teenager also has an unnatural lifestyle, among others, often spends the night walking aimlessly, sleeping in any place, and just coming home early in the morning to change clothes before going to school.

"This perpetrator doesn't sleep at home every day. He keeps going for a walk, where to sleep later, sometimes in the hut and so on. In the morning he goes home to change to school. He doesn't even have to wear school. Sometimes he goes at noon, sometimes he goes in the morning," he said.

Currently, investigators are still waiting for the results of an assessment from the Correctional Center (Bapas) as well as the possibility of a mental examination to determine further legal approach to the perpetrators.

The police continue to prioritize the aspect of child protection, considering that ANF is still 16 years old.

ANF was arrested after investigations and evidence collection, including CCTV footage, led to his involvement in the destruction of five graves at the Baluwarti TPU, Basen Village, Purbayan, Kotagede, Friday (16/5), then a number of other graves in the Bantul area on Saturday (17/5). The total number of tombs damaged in Bantul is still under investigation.

"He acknowledged all his actions in the Kotagede area and the Bantul area," he said.

In his action at the Baluwarti TPU, ANF broke four grave nameplates with his bare hands and damaged a ceramic tombstone using a stone found at the location.

"Do the action alone," he said.

The evidence that was secured consisted of four nameplates, one headstone, t-shirts, pants, and stones used at the time of the incident.

Regarding the motive, according to Basungkawa, his party is still conducting an in-depth investigation, including the possibility of being related to the mental condition of the perpetrator.

"We are still deepening the motive. There are still investigations that need to be carried out," he said.

However, Basungkawa emphasized that the motive for ANF's actions was not at all related to elements of ethnicity, religion, race, and intergroup (SARA).

While waiting for the results of the follow-up examination, ANF is now entrusted to the DIY Social Protection and Rehabilitation Center (BPRSR).

"The perpetrator is currently still being investigated, the examination also involves correction centers and so on to determine the next steps," he said.

ANF was charged with Article 179 of the Criminal Code regarding the blasphemy of the grave or the destruction of grave signs with a maximum penalty of 1 year and 4 months in prison.