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 handed down to defendants in the terror case involving an acid attack against KontraS Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus on Wednesday (10/6). After attending a meeting at Commission XIII of the House of Representatives that evening, Pigai admitted he had not yet heard the information. Pigai said he had just returned from a regional visit and had not yet turned on his mobile phone. “I came from Kupang, went straight from the airport to this [Commission XIII meeting], my handphone is not yet active. Even I am still a bit dazed from this hearing,” Pigai said. He stated that he must read the information thoroughly before being able to comment. “I haven’t read it. I have to read first before answering. Because this is sensitive. I apologise,” Pigai said. The panel of judges at Military Court II-08 Jakarta handed down prison sentences to four defendants in the case of the acid attack on Andrie Yunus. Defendant I, Second Sergeant Edi Sudarko, was sentenced to 3 years in prison; Defendant II, First Lieutenant Budhi Hariyanto Widhi, received 2 years and 6 months in prison; Defendant III, Captain Nandala Dwi Prasetyo, was sentenced to 2 years; and Defendant IV, First Lieutenant Sami Lakka, received 1 year and 6 months. Defendants I and II acted as the executors who threw the acid at Andrie. The judge considered the degree of fault and the nature of the actions of Defendants III and IV, resulting in lighter sentences despite their higher rank compared to the other two defendants. Furthermore, the judge also imposed additional penalties on Defendants I and II in the form of dismissal from military service. “Ordering the defendants to remain in detention,” the judge stated. The defendants were found to have violated Article 467 paragraph 1 in conjunction with paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 20 letter C of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. The article regulates premeditated assault, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 4 years (paragraph 1) and 7 years (paragraph 2). The ruling is not yet legally binding because the prosecutor and the defendants stated they would use the 7-day period for consideration. The case was examined and tried by the chief judge, Colonel Chk Fredy Ferdian Isnartanto, with members Major Laut M. Zainal Abidin and Lieutenant Colonel Kum Irwan Tasri. The clerk was First Lieutenant Chk Rekika Bangun. Meanwhile, the prosecutor was represented by Major Chk Mohammad Iswadi and colleagues.