Legal Team Demands Tracking of AI Photo Creator in Acid Attack on KontraS Activist

Police have stated that photographs of the alleged perpetrator of the acid attack against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, circulating widely on social media, are artificial intelligence (AI) fabrications. The victim’s legal team has urged authorities to track down the creator of this fabricated content.

“During the Metro Jaya Police Regional Office press conference, even the Directorate of Criminal Investigation emphasised that it is possible the AI photo was created by the perpetrator or their associates to obscure information,” said Erlangga Julio, representative of the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) and legal counsel for Andrie Yunus, at a press conference on Monday (16 March 2026).

“We are also urging the police that if they reach such a conclusion, they should trace back to whoever first created and manipulated the photograph, and this should be used as additional evidence in identifying the perpetrator,” he added.

Another legal representative, Afif Abdul Qoyim, stated that photographs circulating on social media cannot serve as evidence. He argued that AI-generated images cannot be held accountable.

“Therefore, we are disregarding posters, images, and videos that may not originate from us or from the organisation, which we also frequently clarify to the public,” he said.

Afif stated that they would provide regular updates on Andrie’s situation, including the handling of the case currently underway.

“This has generated considerable attention, so of course we must be transparent regarding what we are working on,” he explained.

Afif also presented five demands concerning the handling of the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus. These are as follows:

First, directed at the President of the Republic of Indonesia to establish an independent investigation team in consultation with the victim’s advisors and family to ensure objective and comprehensive fact-finding and to ensure all perpetrators are held accountable without obstruction or conflicts of interest, as regulated by law.

Second, directed at the Chief of the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia to instruct the Metropolitan Jakarta Regional Police Office, the Central Jakarta Metropolitan Police Resort, and their subordinates to immediately reveal this attempted premeditated murder transparently and with accountability.

Third, to the Attorney General to instruct the appointed investigating prosecutor to coordinate investigation and prosecution as regulated in Articles 58 through 60 of the Criminal Code to accommodate the construction of Articles 549 through 17 through 20 of the Criminal Code or Law Number 1 of 2003 on Criminal Law, and to include intellectual actors in this criminal act.

Fourth, directed at the National Human Rights Commission to monitor, provide recommendations to the President, and conduct an investigation into the attack on human rights defenders to ensure the case is handled with accountability and speed, prevent future occurrences, and promptly issue a decision recognising Andrie Yunus as a human rights defender as requested by the Advocacy Team for Democracy since the action opposing the discussion of the Armed Forces Bill at the Fairmont Hotel on 15 March 2025.

Fifth, directed at the Head of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency to ensure the safety and privacy of the victim, the victim’s family, witnesses, and advisors until the case is fully investigated and there is no further risk of threats.