Judge Highlights Andrie Yunus' Absence in Acid Attack Trial

The Panel of Judges at Military Court II-08 Jakarta has highlighted the decision by KontraS Deputy External Coordinator, Andrie Yunus, not to provide testimony in the trial concerning the acid attack against him. In the sentencing consideration for the four defendants from the Detachment Headquarters of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) TNI, panel member Mayor Laut (KH) M. Zainal Abidin stated that the panel had hoped Andrie would give evidence to complete the facts revealed during the trial. The panel assessed that the victim’s testimony was crucial for providing a more complete picture of the incident that caused Andrie serious injury and permanent disability to his right eye. However, Andrie was known to be unwilling to attend or provide testimony online, an attitude noted in the panel’s sentencing considerations. “The panel of judges in this case considers that Andrie Yunus’ attitude has demeaned the dignity of the court,” said Zainal at Military Court II-08 Jakarta on Wednesday (10/6). Despite this, Andrie’s decision not to provide testimony during the trial had been explained several times by his support team and civil society organisations monitoring the case. They judged that this stance could not be separated from Andrie’s experience as a victim and his views on the ongoing judicial process. The judge stated: “Considering that the panel initially assessed and understood this situation, however, in this case Mr Andrie Yunus, apart from ignoring his obligations, also gave a contrary impression to this trial process and gave a negative stigma of distrust in the judicial process in the military court, even appearing to have insulted the legal process provided by the state.” On the other hand, Andrie’s decision not to participate in the trial can also be understood in the context of his experience as a victim. Since the beginning of the legal process, Andrie and several victim advocates had expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the military justice mechanism in uncovering the entire sequence of events and responsible parties. Besides still undergoing a post-attack recovery process, Andrie also repeatedly stated that his main focus was ensuring the case was handled thoroughly and accountably. In the view of his supporters, the decision not to testify was not solely a rejection of the legal process, but an expression of distrust born from experience and critical assessment of the running system. Regardless of these differing views, the trial continued until the verdict was delivered. The panel of judges declared four BAIS TNI members legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing the criminal act of premeditated maltreatment resulting in serious injury to Andrie Yunus. Defendant I, Second Sergeant Edi Sudarko, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and an additional penalty of dismissal from military service. Defendant II, First Lieutenant Budhi Hariyanto Widhi, was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment and dismissed from military service. Meanwhile, Defendant III Captain Nandala Dwi Prasetyo was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, while Defendant IV First Lieutenant Sami Lakka was sentenced to one year and six months’ imprisonment. The panel judged Edi Sudarko and Budhi Hariyanto as the perpetrators who directly splashed acid on the victim, thus receiving heavier sentences. The sentences for Nandala and Sami were handed down considering the role and level of involvement of each defendant in the case.