Komnas HAM Urges TNI Commander to Investigate Former Kabais over Kontras Activist Acid Attack

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) is urging a comprehensive examination of Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, the former Head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais) who has just been removed from his position. This follows the admission of four TNI members’ involvement in the acid attack case against Kontras activist Andrie Yunus.

Komnas HAM Commissioner Amiruddin al Rahab emphasised that mere dismissal from office is not enough to satisfy justice for the victim or to uphold human rights.

“The TNI Commander must order the TNI Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Police to examine the dismissed Kabais transparently,” he stated in a written release in Jakarta on Friday (27/3).

Amiruddin stressed that this examination is crucial to reveal the full chain of responsibility, from the field executors to the leaders who planned the action.

“The examination is necessary to ensure the degree of involvement and command responsibility of the leaders and members who planned, designed the action, and directly operated in the field to carry out the acid attack,” Amiruddin asserted.

Although the dismissal is seen as an initial signal of accountability, Komnas HAM views it as not yet reflecting a comprehensive legal effort. The body highlights the importance of accountability for the alleged misuse of state facilities and authority by officials.

“In the context of human rights protection and fulfilment, every use of state facilities and abuse of authority by officials and state apparatus must be legally accountable,” he added.

Furthermore, Komnas HAM has requested that the TNI Commander open the widest possible access for independent institutions to conduct in-depth investigations to ensure transparency in handling the case.

“The TNI Commander must open access to relevant parties, especially Komnas HAM, to delve into the involvement of each TNI member suspected of direct involvement and participation in the acid attack incident on the night of 12 March 2026,” Amiruddin said.

According to Komnas HAM, terror against activists like that suffered by Andrie Yunus is not the first incident. Therefore, firm and transparent law enforcement is urgently needed to prevent similar patterns of violence from recurring without clear accountability.