Defence Minister Sjafrie: Perpetrators of caustic-water spray could face heavier penalties

Defence Minister (Menhan) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin responded to criticisms over the military justice process and the case of the harassment with caustic water against activist Andrie Yunus. During a Working Meeting on Tuesday, 19 May, in the DPR’s Commission I hearing room on Senayan, Jakarta, together with the Commission I of the Indonesian Parliament, the Minister revealed that penalties for the perpetrators of the caustic-water spray on Andrie Yunus could be heavier. The remarks were made after DPR Commission I member Tubagus Hasanuddin of the PDI-P faction drew attention to the case and urged a reform of laws, arguing that the perpetrators, four soldiers of the Army Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), were tried in military court. Sjafrie also referred to other cases involving TNI personnel, including senior ranks, where, when tried in military court, they received heavier penalties. The defendant Serda Edi Sudarko claimed to have merely followed Lettu Budhi’s suggestion to spray anti-SOCR activist Andrie Yunus with a rust-remover solution. The judge of Military Court II-08 Jakarta stated that Andrie Yunus’’ presence was crucial to convert public opinion into legal fact in the trial for the caustic-water spray. Activist Andrie Yunus could not attend the military trial of the caustic-water spray against him by elements of the TNI due to care, according to Muhamad Isnur, of the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD). The case hearing for the caustic-water spray against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus resumed at Military Court II-08 Jakarta on Wednesday, 6 May. The case proceedings for the caustic-water spray against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus continued at Military Court II-08 Jakarta on Wednesday, 6 May.