The wife of a Canadian teacher who has been detained in Indonesia for more than three weeks says she believes that Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is “working at the highest levels” to raise the case with Indonesian authorities.
Tracy Bantleman said she met with Baird during his visit to Jakarta on Monday and he was “extremely receptive” to her husband’s situation.
“I’m confident that he is working at the highest levels to communicate his concerns,” she told CTV News Channel Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Baird confirmed to CTVNews.ca that the minister raised the case with Indonesian officials.
Neil Bantleman, 45, a teacher at the Jakarta International School, was arrested during a police investigation into alleged sexual assault of three kindergarten students. The Burlington, Ont., man was detained along with Indonesian teaching assistant Ferdinand Tijong.
What was initially supposed to be a 20-day detention has now been extended for another 40 days, his wife said.
“I think that is completely unacceptable. These allegations are so ridiculous, so baseless and so outlandish and he’s got the full support of his community here,” she said.
Under Indonesian law, Bantleman can be held for 60 days without charges.
Tracy remains optimistic that Bantleman will be released, saying she believes that Baird’s message of concern to Indonesian officials is being heard. Baird is travelling in Southeast Asia for security and diplomatic meetings with nations in the region.
Tracy, who also teaches at the Jakarta International School, said there has been no clear evidence presented in Bantleman’s and Tijong’s case. She said the police “have sort of abandoned due process.”
The men could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Bantleman’s brother, Guy Bantleman, said the teacher has been cooperating with the Indonesian authorities. Bantleman and Tijong both surrendered their passports, had their homes and offices searched and underwent “quite invasive medical tests,” Guy said.
He said his brother and Tijong “want to see this matter resolved” and there is no need to detain them.
“We’re just getting to the point where we’re getting frustrated,” he told CTV News Channel Tuesday, adding that the Canadian government has been providing consular assistance to the family.
Guy said the family wants to respect another country’s legal process, but they also want to see it move “as quickly as possible.”
Tracy said her husband has the support of the Jakarta school and its board, as well as his family, friends and colleagues back home in Canada.
Since Bantleman was detained, candlelight vigils have been held in several Canadian cities as a show of solidarity with the teacher and his family.
