Kontras Activist Doused with Caustic Acid; Police Interview Two Witnesses
JAKARTA — Police authorities continue to investigate the caustic acid attack against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras). As of Saturday, 14 March 2026, police have interviewed two witnesses present at the incident location.
Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations at Metro Jaya Police, stated that both witnesses were residents who saw or had knowledge of the acid attack incident.
“We have interviewed two witnesses, local residents who saw and knew of the incident,” Budi told reporters.
He explained that the investigation is continuing using scientific investigation methods to identify the perpetrators. The police force is treating the case with utmost seriousness.
“This matter is a priority and focus of the National Police Headquarters and Metro Jaya Police,” Budi said.
Regarding the victim’s condition, Budi reported that Andrie remains under intensive hospital care. According to preliminary diagnosis, the victim sustained severe burns.
“The victim is still under care, diagnosed with burns affecting approximately 24 per cent of his body,” he stated.
The caustic acid attack occurred on Thursday, 12 March 2026 at approximately 23:37 WIB on Jalan Salemba I-Talang in Central Jakarta. At the time, Andrie was riding a motorcycle when he was approached by two unknown individuals also on a motorcycle.
According to Kontras reports, both perpetrators are believed to have been riding a Honda Beat motorcycle from the 2016–2021 model years. The perpetrators were two males.
The motorcycle driver was reportedly wearing a white-and-blue combination shirt, dark trousers believed to be denim, and a black helmet. The rear passenger was wearing a black buff-style face covering, a dark blue shirt, and blue trousers folded at the cuff.
One of the perpetrators then sprayed what is believed to be caustic acid towards the victim, striking parts of his body. As a result of the attack, Andrie cried out in pain and fell from his motorcycle before being rushed to hospital for medical treatment.