Advocacy Team Urges TNI to Release Photos of Suspects in Andrie Yunus Case
The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) has questioned the results of the investigation by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Military Police Centre (Puspom TNI) regarding the acid attack case against human rights activist Andrie Yunus. This arises due to the lack of transparency from TNI concerning the identities of the four alleged perpetrators, who are claimed to have been arrested.
In a press conference held at TNI Headquarters on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, TNI stated that it had detained four military personnel as the alleged perpetrators in the acid attack on the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS).
The four individuals are initialled Captain NDP, First Lieutenant SL, First Lieutenant BHW, and Second Sergeant ES. They are from the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) and have been handed over to Puspom TNI for further investigation.
Puspom TNI Commander Major General Yusri Nuryanto explained that the four members have been designated as suspects and are currently being examined. The motive behind the acid attack is still under investigation, while they are charged under Article 467 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) with a potential prison sentence of 4–7 years if found guilty.
TNI emphasised that the case is being handled internally through military mechanisms, including the possibility of trial in a military court. To date, TNI has not released photos or facial recordings of the alleged perpetrators to the public, only providing initials in its official statement.
According to TAUD, TNI’s statement cannot yet be confirmed as true. “We urge Puspom TNI to act transparently and accountably by releasing photos or directly showing the perpetrators,” said TAUD in a written statement sent by KontraS administrator Jane Rosalina on Sunday, 22 March 2026.
The publication of information in the form of photos of the alleged perpetrators is considered important so that the public can verify the truth of TNI’s statement. This is even more relevant due to discrepancies in information between TNI and the Metro Jaya Regional Police (Polda). The police have released the identities and photos of two alleged perpetrators, initialled BHC and MAK, based on collected evidence.
In addition, TAUD has urged President Prabowo Subianto to immediately form an independent Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF). This team is expected to have clear authority, regulated through legislation, and involve law enforcement apparatus, civil society, and reputable community figures.
The acid attack on Andrie Yunus occurred on Thursday night, 12 March 2026, in the Talang Street area, Salemba, Central Jakarta. KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya stated that Andrie Yunus suffered burns covering 24% of his body due to the acid attack. Andrie’s medical treatment is being handled by six specialist doctors, namely in ophthalmology; ear, nose, and throat (ENT); neurology; orthopaedics; thoracic; internal organs; and dermatology.