Komnas HAM Faces Obstacles in Obtaining TNI Permission to Examine Defendants in Andrie Case

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) is facing obstacles in the examination process of the defendants in the acid splashing case against Deputy Coordinator of KontraS Andrie Yunus.

The Monitoring and Investigation Team for the Andrie Yunus case from Komnas HAM, Pramono U. Tanthowi, stated that Komnas HAM is currently finalising the drafting of the monitoring report on the Andrie Yunus case.

Komnas HAM has gathered evidence, including statements from parties involved, electronic and digital evidence, expert testimonies, and other physical evidence.

“Up to now, we are still endeavouring to collect evidence, including efforts to examine the defendants, for which we have not yet obtained permission from the TNI,” Pramono said in a written statement on Friday (17/4).

Komnas HAM will soon submit the monitoring results in the form of recommendations to the relevant parties.

“We are also continuing the assessment process regarding alleged intimidation against 12 human rights activists, the results of which we will soon announce,” he said.

Komnas HAM has stated its focus on the right to fair enforcement of the law (fair trial) for the perpetrators.

From the in-depth investigation conducted, Komnas HAM strongly suspects that the perpetrators involved in the case are not limited to just four individuals.

Therefore, Komnas HAM urges the National Police (Polri) to continue the investigation process and uncover the identities of other strongly suspected perpetrators involved in the case.

“This is important to determine whether all other perpetrators have a military background or if there is civilian involvement,” Pramono said.

Pramono stated that if Polri faces obstacles in uncovering the identities of the other perpetrators, Komnas HAM encourages the government to consider forming a Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF).

According to him, with a strong mandate, the TGPF is expected to overcome structural and psychological obstacles in revealing the incident.

Pramono explained that fair, transparent, and accountable enforcement of the law against the perpetrators is crucial to monitor for two reasons.

First, to avoid misidentification of perpetrators (error in persona); and second, to ensure that other strongly suspected perpetrators can still be held accountable, thereby avoiding potential impunity.

“The intended legal efforts are expected to provide a deterrent effect for anyone involved and prevent similar actions in the future,” he said.

Andrie became the victim of an acid splashing attack on Thursday night (12/3).

KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya stated that the incident occurred after Andrie Yunus attended a podcast event titled “Remilitarism and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), around 23:00 WIB.

“He was attacked with acid splashing by unidentified persons (OTK), resulting in serious injuries across his body, particularly on the right and left hands, face, chest, and eye area,” he said in a written statement on Friday (13/3).

Less than a week later, on Wednesday (18/3), TNI’s Main Education Centre (Puspom TNI) detained four members suspected of involvement in the incident.

The four are NDP with the rank of captain, SL and BHW with the rank of first lieutenant, and ES with the rank of second sergeant.

They are assigned to the Detachment Headquarters of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (Denma BAIS) TNI, from the Navy and Air Force.

The case file has been handed over to the military court for trial.

Head of TNI Information Centre Major General TNI Aulia Dwi Nasrullah has emphasised that the identities of the four acid attack suspects against Andrie Yunus will be revealed during the indictment reading session to be held soon.

Aulia made this statement in response to media questions regarding the reason the faces of the four suspects have not yet been shown to the public until the case file was handed over to the court.

“I think they will be visible at the trial; they will also be presented. This will be done openly and professionally,” said the Kapuspen when met at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (16/4).

According to him, the suspects in the case remain four individuals, regardless of findings from Andrie Yunus’s side claiming up to 16 suspected perpetrators. The determination of suspects is said to be in accordance with the investigation results.

“It remains four people, as I have already explained previously during the press conference at puspen and during my release,” he said.