A close friend of a former Okotoks teacher convicted of sexually assaulting students at an international Indonesian school was devastated to find out he may be heading back to jail in that country after an eight-month reprieve.
A close friend of a former Okotoks teacher convicted of sexually assaulting students at an international Indonesian school was devastated to find out he may be heading back to jail in that country after an eight-month reprieve.
The Indonesian Supreme Court reversed the acquittal of Neil Bantleman and increased his sentence from 10 to 11 years on Feb. 24. He was back in custody as of Feb. 26.
Bantleman's friend, Okotokian Greg Gibbs is urging Foothills residents and other Canadians to write their members of parliament in an effort to free the former local teacher.
“We have to continue to petition our Canadian government to step in and open up clear communications with the Indonesian government,” said Gibbs. “Our government in the past wasn't willing to really touch this case or comment on it.”
Bantleman, 46, was a substitute teacher in the Christ the Redeemer Catholic School system. He lived in Okotoks approximately 12 years ago, before accepting the position to live overseas.
Bantleman, along with teaching assistant Ferdinant Tjiong, was convicted in April 2015 of sexually abusing three students at Jakarta International School, but were acquitted of the charges last summer. However, Bantleman was not allowed to leave the country.
Gibbs said he was dismayed when he heard the news of Bantleman's acquittal being reversed Feb. 24.
He has no doubts of Bantleman's innocence.
“When we woke up this morning we got the news,” Gibbs said on Feb. 25. “To some extent we were shocked, but knowing that the people within the Indonesian justice system were still seeking to convict him… until Neil's passport was reinstated by the Indonesian government, we never really felt he was safe or in the clear.”
Gibbs said Okotoks and area residents should contact Foothills MP John Barlow, who has advocated for the family in the past.
“Contact John Barlow and ask him to continue to challenge our government (to pressure) the Indonesian government about getting Neil home and the injustices in this case.”
He also recommended contacting Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion concerning the issue.
Gibbs was encouraged to hear Dion's harsh statements concerning the acquittal reversal.
Dion said Canada will continue to assist Bantleman.
“This decision is unjust, given the many grave irregularities throughout the various proceedings in this case and the fact that all evidence presented by the defence has systematically been rejected,” Dion said in a prepared statement. “Mr. Bantleman and Mr. Tjiong were not provided the opportunity to demonstrate their innocence. Despite Canada's repeated calls for due process, this case was not handled in a fair and transparent manner.
“The outcome of this case has serious implications for Indonesia's reputation as a safe place for Canadians to work, travel and invest as well as for Canada's long history of cooperation with Indonesia.
“Canada will continue to raise the case of Mr. Bantleman at the highest levels. Canadian officials will continue to provide consular assistance to Mr. Bantleman.”
Guy Bantleman, Neil's older brother, said he has been in contact with his brother.
“I have been in contact with Neil over the last 36 hours,” said Guy, from his Burlington, Ont. home. “We've been managing him through the process, keeping him safe and focused that's been our major role at this point.”
Neil was not in Jakarta when the decision was made. Guy said he has been in touch with Canadian consular services to work towards his brother's return.
He also stressed Okotokians contacting their local MP, adding the statements from Dion were the strongest issued from the Canadian government so far.
Barlow welcomes the calls.
“Send emails to myself or Mr. Dion to look into this as an urgent matter,” he said, adding he received more than 1,000 email or letters encouraging the government to take an active role on behalf of Bantleman last year.
He shared Gibbs' devastation in the Feb. 24 ruling.
“I am disappointed — I was really hoping that Neil was close to getting home and being with his family and friends,” Barlow said. “Our position will be to work with Mr. Dion and his staff to try and look into this as best we can.
“We have to make sure the Indonesian judicial system is fair and transparent and open. I know that is a big question mark not only for the Bantleman family, but for many Canadians.”
It's an issue that rises above party lines.
“This is not a partisan issue at all, this is looking out for the welfare of a Canadian citizen,” Barlow said. “But again, and I'm sure Mr. Dion will speak of this, Indonesia is a sovereign country, we cannot demand the release of a Canadian citizen. I will speak with Mr. Dion's staff and give him an update on some of the things I did last year. Hopefully, they can carry that torch and do whatever they can for Neil and his family.” Neil's wife, Tracy, is a former teacher at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School. The Bantlemans still have a home in Okotoks and were planning to return to the community in the future.
Bantleman's remaining option in the Indonesian court system is to file for a judicial review.
Gibbs said people often get nervous when dealing with child abuse issues. He urged residents to get informed about the Bantleman case, specifically watching the Fifth Estate episode of Nightmare in Indonesia, which aired in January.
