KontraS Deputy Coordinator Attacked with Caustic Liquid

The Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Andrie Yunus, was attacked with caustic liquid by unknown assailants on Thursday evening, 12 March 2026. Andrie was subjected to the assault following a podcast recording session entitled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the offices of the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) in Jakarta, which concluded around 23:00 Western Indonesia Time.

The attack resulted in severe burns to the front of Andrie’s body. “Serious injuries across the body, particularly on both hands, face, chest, and around the eyes,” said KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya on Friday, 14 March 2026.

Andrie is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital. Medical examination revealed that he suffered burns covering 24 per cent of his body surface area. “An attack involving caustic liquid can cause serious, potentially fatal injuries,” said Dimas.

Dimas views the attack on Andrie as an attempt to silence human rights activists. He cited Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, Article 66 of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, and the Regulation of the National Commission on Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 2015 concerning Procedures for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.

Dimas called on law enforcement authorities to immediately investigate the caustic liquid attack on Andrie and to identify the perpetrators and their motives. “This incident must receive immediate attention from various parties, including law enforcement agencies and civil society,” he said.