Four TNI Members Involved in Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus, Legal Representative Suspects They Are Not the Real Perpetrators

Jakarta - The director of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta), M Fadhil Alfathan, is concerned about the TNI’s stance in revealing that four of its soldiers are involved in the acid attack case against KontraS Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus. However, according to Fadhil, the military was not instructed to conduct an investigation into the case at all. “The question is, on what basis was the arrest of these four people made? We are worried that these four people are actually not the real perpetrators,” Fadhil said at the YLBHI office in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (18/3/2026). If that is the case, Fadhil suspects that the acid attack on Andrie Yunus will not be considered as an attempted murder against a human rights defender. The legal team was also surprised by the TNI’s sudden action in revealing the involvement of the four soldiers. This surprise is based on the statement from the TNI’s Head of Public Information, Major General Aulia, who said that on Tuesday night (17/3/2026), they were conducting an internal investigation process. “It was only last night that they did that. So we are quite surprised and until now we are still questioning what kind of investigation was carried out?” Fadhil said. TNI Deputy Chief of Military Police Major General Yusri Nuryanto stated that they have now received the four suspects this Wednesday morning. “This morning I received four people suspected of carrying out the assault against Andri Yunus,” Yusri said during a press conference at TNI Headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday. The four individuals have been secured and detained at the Jaya Military District Police. Nevertheless, Yusri has not announced the roles and motives behind the acid attack on the activist. The acid attack incident on Andrie Yunus occurred last Thursday night. Andrie is believed to have been attacked by two unidentified individuals while on his way home.