Government Response to Attack on Andrie Yunus
Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), suffered severe acid burns when an unknown assailant threw caustic liquid at his body on the evening of Thursday, 12 March 2026. The chemical attacked the right side of Andrie’s body, including his eyes, face, chest, and hands. He underwent eye surgery following the attack.
The assault occurred shortly after Andrie had completed recording a podcast episode titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, Diponegoro Street No. 74, Central Jakarta.
Prior to the attack, Andrie received calls from several unknown numbers between 9 and 11 March 2026. Kontras identified eight numbers that contacted Andrie during this period, with three remaining unidentified and five suspected to be associated with fraud and illegal lending schemes. In the days preceding the attack, Andrie was also repeatedly followed by unknown individuals. Muhamad Isnur, chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, stated during a press conference on Friday, 13 March 2026 that the organisation was tracking evidence of surveillance at Andrie’s residence, accommodation, and frequented locations.
Andrie is a human rights activist and member of the Fact-Finding Commission investigating the August 2025 demonstrations. In February 2026, this independent panel released a report titled “The Largest Youth Silencing Operation Since Democratisation”. Andrie has also been vocal in opposing the revision of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Law. In March 2025, he participated in disrupting a closed-door discussion of the TNI Law revision held by Commission I of the House of Representatives at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta. Following this action, he received repeated threatening calls from unknown numbers, and military tactical vehicles were frequently seen driving past the Kontras office in Central Jakarta.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo received direct instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to investigate the attack on Andrie Yunus. Speaking on Sunday, 15 March 2026, Sigit assured the public that the police would work continuously and provide regular updates on developments in the case. He stated that Prabowo had instructed the National Police to investigate the acid attack professionally and transparently, employing scientific crime investigation methods.
Sigit indicated that the police are currently gathering information about the incident and will investigate each lead systematically. The National Police also plan to establish a complaint post where members of the public can report information regarding the case. Sigit emphasised that all public information will be followed up and that informants will be guaranteed protection during the investigation process.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka expressed concern over the attack through his special staff member, Tina Talisa. In a statement on Sunday, 15 March 2026, Tina declared: “Acts of violence such as this cannot be justified in a nation and state that upholds the rule of law, humanity, and democratic values.” She stated that the government is committed to handling cases of violence against citizens seriously and fairly, ensuring that victims receive medical treatment and rehabilitation support. The government remains focused on protecting all citizens and maintaining a healthy, open democratic space.
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Penitentiaries Yusril Ihza Mahendra suspects the acid attack on Andrie Yunus was an organised assault. The pattern of the attack suggests planning and premeditation, he said, meaning that law enforcement must not stop at identifying the perpetrator but must uncover the intellectual architects behind it. In a written statement released in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026, Yusril characterised the acid attack as an assault on democratic values and human rights enforcement in Indonesia. He emphasised that in a democracy, all parties must respect differing viewpoints, and that violence against democratic and human rights activists cannot be justified under any circumstances.
The Ministry of Human Rights announced that the state will cover all medical and rehabilitation expenses for Andrie Yunus. Deputy Minister of Human Rights Mugiyanto Sipin expressed sympathy and solidarity with Andrie and committed the ministry to ensuring his full recovery.