Police Busted Illegal Abortion Clinic That Used Vacuum Cleaner for Procedures

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Police arrested seven in connection to an illegal abortion clinic in Central Jakarta. Four of seven people who got arrested were the patients of the clinic.

The clinic only lasted for a month. Police received reports from the locals who felt suspicious with the activities in that rented house, and they often heard a loud sound of vacuum cleaner.

The neighbors also saw many women who visited the home. At first, they thought the house was meant as a safe house for migrant workers. Police finally checked the house and unveiled the abortion clinic.

The person who aborted the baby does not have a medical background.

"First, SN, the woman as the executor. SN does not have a medical background. Looking at her ID card, [she is] only a housewife. SN is helped by NA who socialized [the abortion clinic], sought [patients], including as the assistant in this house, also fetching the patients," said the head of Jakarta Metro Resort Police, Chief Commissioner Komarudin, on Wednesday (28/6/2023).

The third arrestee was a driver who worked in the premise.

Komarudin said SN used a vacuum cleaner to abort the fetus. The remains were later thrown into the closet. The police found some medicines and antibiotics which can be easily bought from the pharmacy.

"The only available tool is the vacuum. So, it was sucked out with vacuum, and then thrown into the closet," Komarudin revealed.

SN asked for Rp2.5 million ($166) to Rp8 million ($532) fee from her clients, depending on their age.

Boyfriend Arrested

Furthermore, Komarudin will keep investigating this case to find whether there are more people involved.

Later on Friday, police arrested two others. One of them is the boyfriend of a girl who was already arrested. Police explain it is also illegal to order someone to perform abortion in Indonesia. Another person is a household servant.

All of them are suspected of violating three laws, including the abortion law which punishes women who perform abortion. The women could face up to four years in prison.

Abortion is mostly illegal in Indonesia. The issue of safe abortion has long been advocated by women activists, and the lack of safe access to abortion has led to many cases of unsafe and illegal abortions in the country.

Ady Anugrahadi and Jonathan Pandapotan Purba contributed to this report.