Case of Acid Attack on KontraS Activist Andrie Yunus Advanced to Investigation Stage

JAKARTA — Police have escalated the handling of the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), from preliminary investigation to investigation status.

To date, police continue to pursue the perpetrators whose identities remain unknown. Roby Saputra, Head of Criminal Investigation at Central Jakarta Metro Police, confirmed that the case status has been elevated from preliminary investigation to investigation stage. “Yes, investigation status has been upgraded,” Saputra told Kompas.com on Saturday (14 March 2026). “Yes, the establishment of suspects requires investigation status,” he added.

Currently, police are still searching for and identifying the perpetrator whose actions were recorded by CCTV cameras around the crime scene. “(The perpetrator’s identity) is still under investigation,” said Roby.

Previously, Andrie Yunus was doused with corrosive liquid by an unknown person on Thursday (12 March 2026) evening. Dimas Bagus Arya, Coordinator of the KontraS Working Body, stated the incident occurred at approximately 23:37 West Indonesian Time whilst the victim was riding a motorcycle on Jalan Salemba I-Talang, Senen District, Central Jakarta.

At the location, two perpetrators riding what was believed to be a Honda Beat motorcycle from the 2016 to 2021 model years approached the victim from the opposite direction on Jalan Talang (Talang Bridge). The first perpetrator, acting as the driver, wore a white-blue combination shirt, dark trousers believed to be jeans, and a black helmet.

One of the perpetrators then poured corrosive liquid towards the victim, striking parts of the victim’s body. As a result of the attack, Andrie sustained chemical burns to both hands, face, chest and eyes.