Activist from KontraS Suffers Burn Injuries to Chest, Arms, and Face After Being Doused with Corrosive Liquid
The National Police have disclosed the condition of Andrie Yunus, Vice Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), who sustained burn injuries to several parts of his body after allegedly being doused with corrosive liquid by an unknown assailant.
“Central Jakarta Police (have) requested a preliminary medical examination regarding the condition of the injuries of witness victim AY. Several parts of the body were affected: the chest, face, and hands,” said Head of Police Public Affairs Division Inspecteur General Johnny Eddizon Isir to journalists at Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.
The incident allegedly occurred on Thursday, 12 March at approximately 23.30 (Western Indonesia Time) on Salemba Street, Senen, Central Jakarta. Police are currently investigating the alleged serious assault offence.
“Regarding the alleged serious assault offence, as outlined in Article 467 paragraph 2 and/or Article 468 paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code,” he added.
Isir conveyed that Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has given special attention to the handling of this case. The investigation is being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Unit of Central Jakarta Metro Police with support from Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters and the National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate.
According to Isir, investigators are currently carrying out a series of investigative steps, including inspection of the crime scene and collection of digital evidence such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.
“The collection of various digital evidence, including CCTV, is currently undergoing further analysis so that the perpetrator can be quickly identified,” he stated.
Police have also questioned several witnesses. To date, two witnesses have been interviewed and this number may increase as the investigation deepens.
“The witnesses interviewed are those who were with the victim and who assisted the victim,” he said.
He added that the victim is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. The police hope the victim’s condition recovers soon. Police have also appealed to the public who know the sequence of events to provide information to the investigators.
“We will ensure that members of the public who provide information will receive protection,” Isir assured.
Isir emphasised that the police force is committed to conducting a thorough investigation of the case professionally and based on scientific investigation until the perpetrator and motive are revealed.
“The police will be serious and earnest in bringing to light and capturing the perpetrator, whoever they may be,” Isir concluded.
On the other hand, KontraS Executive Board Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya explained that the attack on Andrie Yunus occurred at approximately 23.00 (Western Indonesia Time) on Thursday evening, 12 March, after the victim had conducted a podcast at the office of the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia”.
Following the incident, Andrie Yunus was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. From the medical examination results, Andrie sustained burn injuries covering 24 per cent of his body.
“Based on information we have compiled, we believe that this act of dousing with corrosive liquid is an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders, which in accordance with Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, Article 66 of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, and the Regulation of the National Commission on Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 2015 concerning the Procedure for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders,” explained Dimas.
Dimas called on law enforcement authorities to investigate the incident comprehensively. His organisation hopes police can reveal the perpetrator and the motive behind the corrosive liquid attack.
“This incident must receive immediate and widespread attention from various parties, including law enforcement agencies and civil society. The police have immediately launched an investigation to reveal the perpetrator and motive behind the attack. Given that dousing with corrosive liquid can result in serious fatal injuries or even death,” said Dimas.