Attack on Andrie Yunus Should Be Investigated as Attempted Murder
A member of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Abdullah, believes the caustic acid attack against activist Andrie Yunus is more than a simple criminal act. In his view, the attack should be suspected as an attempt to intimidate and murder a human rights defender.
“We condemn this strongly. The police must act quickly, apprehend the perpetrators, and charge them with aggravating charges,” he stated in a written statement on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
Furthermore, he noted that no items belonging to the victim were stolen by the acid-throwing perpetrators. This fact, he argued, strengthens the indication that the motive for the acid attack was purely aimed at injuring and silencing criticism.
“This is a premeditated attack to terrorise the victim. All forms of violence against human rights defenders represent a genuine threat to democracy,” said this politician from the National Awakening Party.
He urged law enforcement to act swiftly to secure surveillance camera footage from the surrounding area of the attack location. Police, Abdullah stated, must also investigate the potential involvement of intellectual authors behind the attack on Andrie Yunus.
This member of the legal affairs commission demanded that the caustic acid attack targeting Kontras Deputy Coordinator not go unpunished. “The police must work professionally and be accountable. Reveal who the perpetrators are and who stands behind them,” Abdullah said.
Previously, Andrie Yunus was doused with caustic acid whilst on Jalan Salemba I-Talang, Central Jakarta on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026. Andrie was sprayed with a dangerous solution by two unidentified individuals riding a motorcycle.
The acid-throwing perpetrators approached from the opposite direction of Andrie. Kontras Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya stated that the perpetrators sprayed caustic acid onto the front of Andrie’s body.
After being hit by the caustic acid spray, Andrie collapsed onto the road whilst screaming in pain. Dimas recounted that before the incident, Andrie had just completed recording a podcast titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the office of the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Central Jakarta, at approximately 23:00 WIB on Thursday evening.
The corrosive chemical liquid hit the right side of Andrie’s body, including his eyes, face, chest, and hands. Some of the victim’s clothing also melted from the caustic acid exposure.
Medical examination results showed that Andrie sustained serious burns covering 24 per cent of his body. The perpetrators dropped a stainless steel glass whilst attempting to flee. The perpetrators are believed to have fled towards Jalan Salemba Raya, Central Jakarta. At the time of writing, Andrie Yunus remained receiving intensive care at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM).