Bantleman case going to trial

(Updated)

A Burlington man who has been locked up in an Indonesian jail since July on rape charges, was dealt a devastating blow Tuesday. Neil Bantleman’s effort to have the case thrown out was dismissed by the courts, sending the 45 year old teacher back to jail.

The Burlington man’s ordeal began in July when he was charged with raping three boys aged 5 to 6, at the international school where he and his wife have taught for the past four years. Another teacher and six janitors, one of whom has since died have also been charged.

Throughout the ordeal Bantleman has maintained his innocence and today his lawyer asked that the charges be dismissed saying the case was built on shoddy police work, vague allegations, financial motivation and out of date laws. But the court disagreed and instead Bantleman will be back in court next week .

Tracy Bantleman: “I would rather just have my husband home. Our entire community know this whole situation is ridiculous, absurd, it’s just impossible that things like this could happen. And any school. I would rather have my husband here but if this is where we have to be and the court is saying we’re moving forward than as you said it is the opportunity to clear your name.”

Bantleman who is a dual citizen of Canada and the United Kingdom has been pleading with the Canadian government to intervene.

Today, foreign affairs issued this statement saying: “Canadian officials are raising the case with local officials while urging for a fair and transparent trial.”

Guy Bantleman: “Counsellor officials in Jakarta are there to support Neil as they would most Canadian citizens, which is what we expect. It’s going the next step. The British Ambassador applied to the courts to actually being a closed door session last Thursday. You don’t see that from the Canadian side.”.

Neil Bantleman is back in his Indonesian cell where he has spent the past 155 days. If convicted on these charges, he faces 15 years behind bars.
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