Eight Facts About Attack on KontraS Activist With Caustic Acid
A caustic acid attack targeted Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, as he drove through the Salemba area of central Jakarta. Police have moved swiftly to investigate the incident.
The attack occurred at approximately 23.00 on Thursday 12 March, shortly after Yunus had completed a podcast at the Law Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia”. CCTV footage showed two motorcycle riders throwing the acid at Yunus. Following the attack, he was taken to hospital for medical treatment and was found to have sustained burns covering 24 per cent of his body, affecting his chest, face, and hands.
Dimas Bagus Arya, Coordinator of KontraS’s Working Body, characterised the acid attack as an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders. He called for a thorough investigation into both the perpetrators and the motives behind the attack, citing relevant provisions of the 1999 Law on Human Rights, the 2009 Environmental Protection Law, and the 2015 National Human Rights Commission Regulation on Protection of Human Rights Defenders.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has given special attention to the handling of this case. The investigation is being conducted by the Central Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polres Metro Jakarta Pusat) with support from the Metro Jaya Police Command and the National Police Criminal Investigation Division (Bareskrim). Investigators have gathered CCTV evidence and interviewed at least two witnesses present at the scene; the number of witnesses is expected to increase.
The case is being handled under Police Report Model A Number 222/III/2026, classified as alleged aggravated assault under Article 467 paragraph (2) and/or Article 468 paragraph (1) of the 2023 Criminal Law. Police have stated that the investigation will be conducted professionally and using scientific crime investigation methods.
KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya noted that in the 28 years since KontraS was established, the organisation has repeatedly faced intimidation and terror. He described the acid attack as a symptom of democratic decline, with civil society groups condemning the attack and demanding that perpetrators be promptly apprehended. The incident has drawn calls from human rights advocates for urgent action and increased protection for human rights defenders.