Young man in NTT hanged upside down as punishment for running away with girlfriend

Young man in NTT hanged upside down as punishment for running away with girlfriend

A young man in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) was hanged upside down as punishment for allegedly attempting to elope with his girlfriend in what appears to be a relationship disapproved by the girl’s family.

A video of the vile abuse triggered public outrage after it gained traction online over the past few days.

The incident, which reportedly took place in Southwest Sumba regency, was filmed in a 71-second video and uploaded to a local community group on Facebook on Oct. 24, by an account claiming to be the mother of the boy. 

The video showed the boy, who has since been identified as MMN, hanging upside down with his head touching the ground, surrounded by many onlookers sitting or standing idly by, two of whom were men clad in the Indonesian Military (TNI) uniform. MMN appeared unconscious throughout the footage.

The original uploader, who goes by Tujuh Juli Yuli on Facebook and said that she’s a migrant worker, pleaded justice for her son in the caption. 

“[I] hope for justice for my child’s rights, who was treated like an animal. My kid is not a criminal who has to be hanged and tortured and being made into a show for the public. Once again I plead to everyone and anyone who can help me and my child, who is still lying in hospital bed now,” Yuli wrote on her post. 

MMN was allegedly punished for trying to elope with his girlfriend, though the couple didn’t succeed as they were caught by the girl’s family. MMN was then “tortured, hanged like an animal,” Yuli said. 

MMN has reportedly returned home after he was briefly treated at a local hospital. 

Southwest Sumba Police Chief Joseph Mandagi, told Tribun that a police report has been filed regarding the incident.

“We have received a report, and we are in the process of questioning witnesses. We’re still looking into it,” Joseph said. 

Tribun also reported more details in the allegations of abuse, namely that it involved two members of the regional legislative council (DPRD) in the regency, and that MMN was slapped and tortured during the incident.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO.