Human Rights Minister Pigai Non-Committal on Light Sentences in Andrie Yunus Acid Attack Case
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai was tight-lipped when asked about the light sentences imposed on the defendants in the acid attack case against the Vice Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus, on Wednesday (10/6).
After attending a meeting at Commission XIII of the House of Representatives (DPR) that same evening, Pigai admitted he had not yet heard the news. He explained that he had just returned from a regional visit and had not yet checked his phone.
“I came from Kupang, and went straight from the airport to here [the Commission XIII meeting]; my mobile phone has not been active. Since this session just started, I am a bit disoriented,” said Pigai.
He stated that he needed to read the full information before being able to offer a comment.
“I haven’t read it yet. I must read it first before answering, because this is sensitive. My apologies,” he added.
The panel of judges at Military Court II-08 Jakarta handed down prison sentences to four defendants in the case involving the acid attack on Andrie Yunus.
Defendant I, Sergeant Edi Sudarko, was sentenced to 3 years in prison; Defendant II, First Lieutenant Budhi Hariyanto Widhi, was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months; Defendant III, Captain Nandala Dwi Prasetyo, was sentenced to 2 years; and Defendant IV, First Lieutenant Sami Lakka, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months.
Defendants I and II acted as the executors who physically poured the acid on Andrie.
The judges considered the degree of fault and the nature of the actions of Defendants III and IV, resulting in lighter sentences despite their higher military ranks compared to the other two defendants.
Furthermore, the judges imposed additional penalties on Defendants I and II, which include dismissal from military service.
“The court orders that the defendants remain in detention,” the judge stated.
The defendants were found to have violated Article 467, paragraph 1 in conjunction with paragraph 2, and Article 20, letter C of Law Number 1 of 2023 regarding the Criminal Code (KUHP).
This article regulates premeditated assault, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 4 years (paragraph 1) and 7 years (paragraph 2).
The verdict is not yet legally binding, as the Prosecutor and the defendants have stated they will use the 7-day period to consider their next steps.
The case was presided over by Chief Judge Colonel Chk Fredy Ferdian Isnartanto, with members Lieutenant Commander M. Zainal Abidin and Lieutenant Colonel Kum Irwan Tasri. The Clerk was Lieutenant Chk Rekika Bangun, while the Prosecution was led by Major Chk Mohammad Iswadi and others.