Jakarta. Prosecutors in Southeast Sulawesi have sparked public outrage after detaining an elementary school teacher following allegations that she hit a first-grade student with a broom handle.

Internet users have condemned law enforcement agencies for prosecuting a trivial case put forward by an angry father, who is a policeman.

Supriyani, a part-time teacher at the 4th State Elementary School of Baito in South Konawe Regency, earns only about $20 per month. She attended her first court hearing on Thursday while fellow teachers staged a rally outside the courthouse, demanding her acquittal.

She was released after spending a week in detention, but only after the case gained national attention and widespread condemnation.

The teacher faces charges under the Child Protection Law following a complaint filed by the student’s father, a local police officer.

The incident allegedly occurred on April 24, when Supriyani is accused of hitting a student with a broom handle after repeatedly asking him to behave in class.

“The defendant’s violent actions caused bruises and broken skin on both of the victim's thighs,” said Ujang Sutisna, head of the local prosecutor’s office, while reading the indictment at Andoolo District Court.

Supriyani maintains her innocence, and her lawyers are set to present a preliminary defense statement on Monday. A judge will then decide whether the trial will proceed.

“I’m very sad after hearing the indictment,” Supriyani said briefly.

Local media reports indicate that the case was brought to court after Supriyani failed to pay Rp 50 million ($3,203) in compensation demanded by the student’s parents. However, the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Police have dismissed these reports as baseless.

On Wednesday, Police Spokesman Iis Kristian said that Supriyani was not detained during the initial investigation. “We followed the law that protects vulnerable groups, in this case, a child who is the alleged victim. However, we allowed space for restorative justice by not detaining the accused during the investigation, considering she is a public school teacher,” Iis said.

Criminal charges were filed after mediation efforts failed to reach an agreement, although it is unclear whether financial compensation was part of the negotiations.

Fellow teachers and the elementary school’s headmaster have denied the allegations, suggesting that the bruises on the student’s thighs might have resulted from an accident.

Abdul Halim Momo, head of the Southeast Sulawesi branch of the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI), said Supriyani had apologized to the student's parents during mediation. However, according to Abdul, she refused to pay the Rp 50 million compensation, as she consistently denied hitting the child.

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