Investigation Team Formed to Probe Attack on Andrie Yunus
A human rights activist from Papua, Yan Christian Warinussy, has condemned the attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence. He has urged President Prabowo Subianto to initiate the formation of an investigation team to probe the case.
He stated that the investigation team must work independently in identifying the perpetrators and motive behind the attack on Andrie. “This investigation team should be coordinated by the National Human Rights Commission, Kontras, and the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation,” he said in a statement on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
The state, he said, must provide access for the independent team to conduct its investigation. Yan noted that this is stipulated in several regulations including Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights and Law No. 26 of 2000 on Human Rights Courts.
“I urge National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit and his staff to immediately take all responsible legal action,” said the human rights activist who was previously a victim of shooting by unknown assailants.
According to Yan, the acid attack on the activist has tarnished Indonesia’s image internationally. This case of violence, he said, would further damage the country’s reputation regarding legal protection for human rights defenders.
“Yet the Republic of Indonesia has adopted several universal human rights instruments,” said the Executive Director of the Legal Research, Review and Development Institution in Manokwari.
He also urged the state to provide the best service for Andrie Yunus’s care and health recovery. Andrie remains hospitalised at the National General Hospital Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo in Jakarta following the acid attack.
According to medical records, Andrie suffered burns covering 24 per cent of his body. Andrie Yunus also underwent eye surgery following exposure to the caustic liquid.
Andrie Yunus was doused with acid whilst on Salemba I-Talang Street, Central Jakarta on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026. He was attacked by two unknown individuals travelling on a motorcycle.
The perpetrators of the acid attack approached from the opposite direction to Andrie. Kontras Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya stated that the perpetrators sprayed acid onto the front of Andrie’s body.
After being doused with acid, Andrie collapsed onto the road whilst crying out in pain. Dimas recounted that just before the incident, Andrie had finished recording a podcast titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the office of the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) in Central Jakarta, around 11:00 pm on Thursday evening.
The corrosive chemical struck Andrie’s right side including his eyes, face, chest and hands. Parts of the victim’s clothing also melted from contact with the acid.