Doctors Explain That Andrie Yunus's Condition Is Still Preventing Attendance at the Trial
Military prosecutors have brought in plastic surgeon Parintosa Atmodiwirjo and ophthalmologist Faraby Martha as expert witnesses in the case of the caustic liquid being sprayed on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus. Parintosa and Faraby explained that Andrie’s condition makes him susceptible to infection.
The proceedings took place at Military Court II-08 Jakarta on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. The four defendants are Defendant I Sersan Dua Edi Sudarko; Defendant II Letnan Satu Budhi Hariyanto Widhi; Defendant III Kapten Nandala Dwi Prasetyo; and Defendant IV Letnan Satu Sami Lakka.
Initially, the defence counsel asked about the qualifications that would prevent a person from giving testimony in court. Faraby responded that Andrie’s right eye is vulnerable to infection if exposed to environments with many people, such as the courtroom.
“I request an explanation, sir, what qualification makes someone unable to testify in court? Please, sir. The person declared unable to provide testimony is not able to be present in court?” the defence counsel asked.
“So at present, Mr Andrie Yunus is still under our care, with medication in his eyes, eye-drops. For carrying out an activity such as this court hearing, as explained earlier by Dr Osa, what we fear most is the risk of infection if the patient undertakes an activity in a crowded environment,” Faraby replied.
Faraby said Andrie is still on antibiotics to prevent infection. He added that conditions or circumstances that trigger infection must be avoided.
“Because the eye is in a vulnerable state, susceptible to external infection. The patient is still taking antibiotics as a preventive measure, but of course the conditions or situations that cause infection must be avoided,” he said.
Parintosa then explained Andrie’s condition. He said the burns are open and prone to infection, and Andrie is currently undergoing a skin grafting[?] stage.
“So the first thing is indeed the burn wounds have opened the skin, making them prone to infection. But secondly, Andrie Yunus is undergoing the skin grafting process. The graft should not move. If he moves, just like pulling up grass, the roots could come loose,” Parintosa said.
“So it must be bed-rested and well cared for. There are two infection risks and, during the skin graft stage, he must not move at all for about 3-4 weeks,” he added.
Despite this, Parintosa said Andrie is conscious. He indicated there is still a possibility for Andrie to attend the hearing.
“But for full consciousness, sir?” the defence counsel asked.
“Conscious, conscious,” Parintosa replied.
“Is there a possibility, with the above expert testimony, that the person or the victim could be brought to the court?” the defence counsel asked.
“There is a possibility,” Parintosa answered.
“Could it be?” the counsel pressed.
“It could be with a note from our director,” Parintosa replied.
Indictment
Earlier, the prosecutor charged four TNI soldiers with pouring caustic liquid on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus. The military prosecutor said the defendants carried out the act out of anger toward Andrie.
The prosecutor said the defendants knew Andrie on 16 March 2025 when Andrie entered and interrupted a meeting discussing the revision of the TNI Law held by the DPR at the Fairmont Hotel, South Jakarta. The defendants believed Andrie’s actions had insulted the TNI institution.
“Following that incident, the defendants believed that Mr Andrie Yunus had insulted the TNI institution, even trampling on the TNI institution,” the prosecutor told the court when reading the indictment.
In short, the defendants sought information about Andrie Yunus’s activities. They divided tasks when carrying out the spraying.
The prosecutor charged all four soldiers with violating Article 469(1) subs. Article 468(1) and Article 467(1) in conjunction with Article 20 letter C of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP).