Chronology: BAIS Members Involved in Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus Avoid Dismissal
The Military High Court has overturned the dismissal sanctions imposed on two members of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) Headquarters Detachment, who were defendants in the acid attack case against the External Vice Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Andlam Yunus.
The decision was reached after the panel of judges accepted the appeal filed by the defendants. Consequently, this ruling amends the decision of the Jakarta Military Court II-08, Number: 70-K/PM II-08/AL/2026, dated 10 June 2026.
“Adjudicating: Formally accepting the appeal submitted by the Defendants, namely Defendant I EDI SUDARKO, Serda Mar NRP 102064; Defendant II BUDHI HARIYANTO WIIDHI CAHYONO, Lettu Mar NRP 23990/P; Defendant III NANDALA DWI PRASETYA, Kapten Mar NRP 240121/P; and Defendant IV SAMI LAKKA, Lettu Pas NRP 533904,” stated the verdict, as reported from the Case Tracking Information System (SIPP) of the Jakarta Military Court II-08 on Friday (4/9).
Based on the appeal verdict for case number 56-K/PMT-II/BDG/AL/VI/2026, Defendant I, Sergeant Two Edi Sudarko, was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison. Defendant II, First Lieutenant Budhi Hariyanto Widhi, was sentenced to 2 years in prison.
Meanwhile, Defendant III, Captain Nandala Dwi Prasetyo, was sentenced to 2 years in prison, and Defendant IV, First Lieutenant Sami Lakka, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison.
“Ordering the Defendants to remain in detention,” stated the military high court judges in the verdict.
The SIPP website did not display the composition of the panel of judges presiding over this case.
The Jakarta Military Court II-08 panel of judges had previously sentenced Defendant I to 3 years in prison, and Defendant II to 2 years and 6 months in prison.
Defendants I and II acted as the executors who splashed the acid on Andrie Yunus.
In addition to the prison sentences, the judges had also imposed additional sanctions on both individuals in the form of dismissal from military service.
Meanwhile, Defendant III was sentenced to 2 years in prison, and Defendant IV was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison.
The first-instance court judges considered the degree of fault and the nature of the actions of Defendants III and IV, resulting in lighter sentences despite them holding higher ranks than the other two defendants.
Response from TAUD
The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) stated that the appeal verdict against these BAIS TNI members has proven the existence of a miscarriage of justice.
The annulment of the dismissal of the two defendants and the imposition of lighter prison sentences are seen as further evidence of military impunity through the military justice system.
“The wording of the appeal verdict creates uncertainty and serious questions regarding the status of the additional sanction of dismissal from military service,” said Jane Rosalina Rumpia from KontraS, part of TAUD, via a press statement on Friday.
Jane explained that the verdict appeared irregular and unusual because it altered the primary sentence but failed to clarify whether the additional sanction of dismissal imposed at the first instance was also altered or remained in effect.
This lack of clarity creates the impression that the dismissal of Defendants I and II has been annulled.
“The ambiguity in the verdict certainly reinforces public concerns and suspicions that the military court serves as an infrastructure of impunity and a venue to protect fellow soldiers,” said Jane.
Response from TNI
The Head of TNI Public Relations, Major General Muhammad Nas, emphasised that his institution did not interfere with the court’s decision. He stated that the TNI Headquarters respects the independence and authority of judges in deciding a case.
“Regarding the aforementioned Military High Court decision, it falls within the realm of the military justice system, which institutionally operates under the Supreme Court,” Nas said when contacted via written message on Friday night.
“TNI respects and appreciates the independence and authority of judges in deciding a case,” he added.