Human Rights Minister: Government Cannot Intervene in Andrie Case

Human Rights Minister (HAM) Natalius Pigai has emphasised that the government cannot intervene in the legal process of the attempted premeditated murder case against Kontras activist Andrie Yunus, whether through the general or military courts.

According to Pigai, the principle of separation of powers or trias politica requires the executive to respect the legislative and judicial branches. In this context, the government can only affirm that the military court process is conducted fairly. “A true state must not intervene in the judiciary. We are safeguarding the honour and dignity of the institution,” Pigai stated during a working meeting with Commission XIII of the DPR on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.

Currently, Andrie’s case is being handled by the Military Police Centre. The prosecution of the case will take place in a military court. Pigai said that public or media pressure pushing for the case to be tried in a general court is not always beneficial. “The state cannot be led to determine a specific judicial path or punish someone according to public pressure,” he added.

Andrie Yunus previously rejected the legal process through the military court. According to this Deputy Coordinator of Kontras, whoever the perpetrators are, whether civilians or military personnel, they should be tried through the general court. He suspects that the military court has the potential not to deliver justice for the victim and often becomes a space for impunity for legal and human rights violations.

The case began on 12 March, when Andrie was doused with corrosive chemical liquid on Jalan Salemba I-Talang, Central Jakarta. Medical records note that the burns suffered by Andrie reached more than 20 percent.

Last week, the police handed over the legal process of Andrie’s case to the Military Police Centre. From statements by the TNI’s Puspom, there are four perpetrators of the dousing. They are NDP, SL, BHW, and ES, from the air and sea forces. NDP holds the rank of captain, SL and BHW are first lieutenants, while ES is a second sergeant.