Acid Attack Case on Andrie Yunus Remains Obscure: TNI's BAIS Chief Resigns
The acid attack case against Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus, remains obscure two weeks after the incident. There has been no significant progress from Metro Jaya Police, which initiated the preliminary investigation.
Andrie was doused with acid by two unidentified individuals on Jalan Salemba 1, Central Jakarta, on Thursday night (12/3).
The attack occurred after Andrie attended a podcast event themed “Remilitarism and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).
Metro Jaya Police estimate that more than four people were involved in the acid attack on the human rights defender. Meanwhile, TNI Headquarters claims to have detained four soldiers allegedly linked to the acid attack.
CNNIndonesia.com summarises the developments in the acid attack case on Andrie, which has been two weeks since the incident, as follows:
Discrepancies in Information Between Metro Jaya Police and TNI
On Wednesday (18/3), TNI’s Military Police Corps (Puspom) held a press conference regarding the acid case. At almost the same time, Metro Jaya Police also held a press conference. There were differences in the initials of the suspects announced by the two institutions.
The TNI stated that it had secured four of its members suspected of being the perpetrators of the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, namely NDP with the rank of captain, SL and BHW with the rank of second lieutenant, and ES with the rank of sergeant.
All four serve in the Detachment Headquarters of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (Denma BAIS) TNI, originating from the Navy and Air Force.
Meanwhile, Metro Jaya Police revealed the identities of two alleged perpetrators of the acid attack on Andrie. According to Metro Jaya Police’s version, the initials of the two perpetrators are BHC and MAK. However, the other two have not been identified. It is possible that more than four alleged perpetrators are involved.
The two have different initials from those disclosed by Puspom TNI. There has been no coordination between Puspom TNI and Metro Jaya Police in investigating this case.
Resignation of TNI’s BAIS Chief
The latest development is that the Head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) TNI, Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, has resigned in connection with the acid attack on Andrie.
“As a show of accountability, today the handover of the BAIS Chief position has been carried out,” said TNI’s Information Centre Head, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, during a press conference at TNI Headquarters, Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3).
To date, the TNI has not announced who will replace Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo.
The TNI also did not provide the latest updates on the results of its investigation after four BAIS members were detained in connection with their alleged involvement in the acid attack on Andrie.
Condition of Ischaemia in the Right Eye
Meanwhile, the medical team at the National General Hospital Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM) found a condition of ischaemia or lack of blood flow in the lower area of the sclera of the right eye of KontraS Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus.
“The medical team found a condition of ischaemia (lack of blood flow) again in the lower (inferior) area of the sclera of the right eye around 40 percent, causing thinning of the surrounding tissue,” stated RSCM through a press release shared by Public Relations Sylvia on Wednesday night (25/3).
Calls for the Formation of an Independent Team
The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) has urged President Prabowo Subianto to immediately take firm steps to ensure that the disclosure of this case is carried out thoroughly and independently.
“This includes ordering the formation of a credible and conflict-of-interest-free investigative team or mechanism to trace the involvement of all actors, including in the chain of command,” said Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhamad Isnur, in an official statement.
Isnur also urged that the handling of this case be conducted through the general court, and not to allow the civilian incident to be shifted to military court jurisdiction, which could hinder transparency and accountability.
Prabowo Calls It Terrorism
President Prabowo Subianto emphasised that the acid attack on Andrie Yunus constitutes an act classified as terrorism.
“This is terrorism. This is a barbaric act. We must pursue it. We must investigate it. We must investigate it!” Prabowo stressed in a written statement from the Government Communication Agency (Bakom).
According to him, law enforcement must also be able to uncover the intellectual actors behind the incident.
“Including who ordered it, who paid,” he said.
Prabowo also assured that the legal process will proceed without favouritism, including if there is involvement of state apparatus.
“Of course (if it’s from the apparatus). There will be no (impunity). I guarantee it!” he stated.