Andrie Yunus Pre-Trial: Legal Team Urges Transfer to Public Prosecutor

The Democracy Advocacy Team (TAUD), representing Andrie Yunus’s legal counsel, has high hopes for the pre-trial ruling scheduled for 2 June. The legal team emphasised that the primary aim of the pre-trial petition is to ensure the acid attack case against the victim is processed in the general court, not the military court. Alghiffari Aqsa, a member of TAUD’s legal team, stressed that a victory in the pre-trial would pave the way for the case to be transferred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (JPU). He argued that handling the case in the military court was inappropriate as the victim is a civilian. ‘The outcome must be that the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus proceeds in the general court and is handed over to the Public Prosecutor, not the Military Prosecutor,’ Alghiffari told reporters after the pre-trial hearing on Tuesday (26 May). Alghiffari further revealed that their independent investigation suggests the attackers may number up to 16 people, not just the four currently being prosecuted, including civilians and funders who have not yet been investigated. ‘This case is far from over. We haven’t even addressed who raised or funded the attack. We hope the pre-trial will shed light on these matters,’ he added. The ruling on Andrie Yunus’s lawsuit against the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) as the defendant is set for Tuesday (2 June). ‘The verdict will be read on Tuesday, 2 June, around 9am,’ said sole judge Suparna after the hearing. The case previously drew sharp attention after the TNI High Command named four of its members as suspects: Captain NDP, Lieutenant SL, Lieutenant BHW, and Sergeant ES. They were charged under Article 467 of the Criminal Code for premeditated assault. The scandal even led to the resignation of BAIS TNI Chief Yudi Abrimantyo. However, following the suspect designation, Polda Metro Jaya transferred the entire case to the TNI Military Police, citing military personnel involvement. TAUD views this transfer as a covert attempt by the police to halt the investigation. Activist Andrie Yunus from Kontras has begun outpatient treatment after a month of intensive care at RSCM following the acid attack. TAUD found evidence of civilian involvement in the attack on Kontras activist Andrie Yunus, urging police to continue investigations despite the case being in the military court. Eye specialist Dr Faraby Martha stated that Yunus’s right eye suffered permanent damage from the acid attack allegedly carried out by four TNI soldiers. The acid attack case against Kontras activist Andrie Yunus featured two medical experts at the Jakarta Military Court before the prosecution of four TNI members. Four TNI soldiers suspected of attacking Kontras activist Andrie Yunus underwent sentencing hearings at Military Court II-08 Jakarta on Wednesday (20 May). Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid criticised the military court process in the acid attack case against Kontras activist Andrie Yunus. The Judicial Commission (KY) indicated it may follow up on allegations of judicial ethics violations in the case. If a civilian criminal case remains under military court jurisdiction, the trial’s outcome could be deemed invalid for contravening TNI Law provisions. TAUD rejects the military court’s handling of the acid attack case, deeming it non-independent and prone to conflicts of interest. They noted public demands reflect growing attention to transparency, accountability, and equality before the law.