Kontras Urges Investigation into Intellectual Actors Behind Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus
The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) asserts that the acid attack on Kontras Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus is not merely an ordinary criminal act. Kontras urges the government to immediately form a Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF) involving civil society elements to dismantle the infrastructure of organised crime.
Head of Kontras’ Impunity Monitoring Division, Jane Rosalina, stated that the attack is a systematic effort to silence critical voices and create an atmosphere of fear within civil society. She emphasised that the wounds suffered by Andrie are wounds to Indonesian democracy.
“This is an attempt to silence those who dare to reveal facts and challenge impunity. Even though our comrade’s face was doused with acid, the resistance will only multiply,” Jane asserted, as quoted from Antara on Wednesday (18/3/2026).
Kontras highlighted Indonesia’s current position as President of the UN Human Rights Council. According to Jane, this status is a significant gamble if the state fails to resolve the case transparently, impartially, and accountably, reaching the intellectual actors.
This demand aligns with international attention from the UN Special Rapporteur and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who are demanding full accountability for attacks on human rights defenders in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Metro Jaya Police confirmed they have identified two suspected perpetrators with initials BHC and MAK. Director of Criminal Investigation at Metro Jaya Police, Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, revealed that based on statements from 15 witnesses, the perpetrators are suspected to number more than four.
Kontras reminds the authorities not to stop at the field perpetrators. Arresting the executors without touching the masterminds behind them will only perpetuate impunity practices in the country. (Ant/Z-10)
National Police Chief Listyo Sigit is requested to investigate the case of terror against a human rights activist thoroughly, professionally, and transparently.
Hetifah emphasised that the heinous acid attack on Andri is an unjustifiable and unacceptable act.
The attack is a form of brutal intimidation threatening civil liberties in Indonesia.
President Prabowo Subianto has given direct orders to National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to thoroughly investigate the attack on Kontras activist Andrie Yunus.
The attack experienced by Andrie is a planned crime. Similar attacks were previously suffered by former KPK investigator Novel Baswedan.
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) ensure that the case handling is carried out professionally and transparently.
As many as 86 CCTV recordings have been collected and presented in the investigation process. All recordings are now being analysed to comprehensively uncover the incident.
A Civil Society Coalition urges the revelation of the intellectual actors in the acid attack on Andrie Yunus through the general courts. They reject impunity in military courts.
Differences in the number will be part of the investigators’ deepening to unravel each individual’s involvement in the incident.
They remind investigators not to rush to conclude the involved parties, whether from civilian circles or certain institutions.