Komnas HAM to seek clarification from TNI Commander regarding Andrie Yunus case
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) will soon summon TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto for clarification regarding the involvement of his personnel in the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus on Thursday night (12/3).
“Komnas HAM will shortly summon the TNI Commander to request an explanation concerning the involvement of its members in the Andrie Yunus case as perpetrators,” said Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah in her statement in Jakarta on Thursday.
She conveyed that the differences in initials of the perpetrators revealed by TNI Headquarters and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) require further clarification. The two known initials, BHC and BHW, are the same person according to Polri.
“Regarding TNI, this certainly needs clarification, but regarding the initials BHC and BHW, according to Polri, they are the same person but using different initials,” she explained.
According to her, Komnas HAM is currently investigating the case further and is building intensive coordination with Metro Jaya Regional Police to complete the investigation process.
“So far, Komnas HAM has been conducting intensive communication and coordination with Metro Jaya Regional Police, and we have sufficient information regarding the suspects, evidence, and so on,” she stated.
Furthermore, Anis urged that the case be processed through a general court to distinguish between military offences and general criminal cases, as the victim is a civilian.
“Komnas HAM itself encourages that this case be processed through a general court, because TNI should not have privileges that lead to impunity or crimes without punishment. Especially when reading this case, it is not related to military offences concerning military criminal acts because the victim in this case is a civilian,” she said.
Additionally, said Anis, human rights activists who have been advocating for human rights, particularly regarding TNI’s actions and deeds, constitute acts regulated under the Criminal Code, not related to military duties.
Based on Indonesia’s ratification of the international convention on civil and political rights, stated Anis, the state has an obligation to investigate thoroughly, transparently, independently, and accountably.
“In military courts, access has so far been closed to the public, so we encourage the trial to be transparent, accountable, and accessible to the public. Considering the above, we want to push for the process to go through a general court,” she said.
Previously, TNI Puspom Commander Major General TNI Yusri Nuryanto stated that the TNI Military Police Centre (Puspom) has detained four TNI personnel suspected of involvement in the acid attack on Andrie Yunus.
“So, the four suspected suspects have now been secured at Puspom TNI for further investigation to the prosecution level,” he said.
Yusri also confirmed that the four individuals detained by Puspom TNI are members of TNI serving at the Headquarters Detachment of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Denma BAIS). The four perpetrators are initialled NDP, SL, BWH, and ES.
“We state that all four suspected perpetrators are members of Denma BAIS TNI. So, not from any unit, but from Denma BAIS TNI,” he said.